The science of learning and development (SoLD) is a cross-disciplinary body of knowledge that describes how people learn and develop. AIR is part of the SoLD Alliance, which serves as a resource to connect and support leaders in research, practice, and policy to transform America’s education systems and achieve equity ...
Not all student growth measures are alike, nor are they designed to be. But when student growth measures are used for educator evaluation, fairness and comparability become critical. This paper focuses on the benefits and challenges of student learning objectives (SLOs) and their use in educator effectiveness systems. To support ...
As part of its Pay for Success work, AIR developed a workaround to common data obstacles these projects face. AIR was contracted to develop the evaluation design for the San Diego-based Project (re)Launch, which sought to improve employment and health outcomes for veterans with service-connected disabilities by providing intensive case ...
Accurately measuring an educator's effectiveness is a complex and difficult task. This guide can be used by states and districts to explore various evaluation methods and tools that represent the "puzzle pieces" of an evaluation system. The guide includes detailed descriptions of more than 75 educator evaluation tools that are ...
A companion piece to The Art and Science of Student Learning Objectives: A Research Synthesis, this annotated bibliography provides brief summaries of individual studies conducted in nine states and districts, highlighting general research context and questions, study methodology, and key findings.
When teachers learn, students learn. For decades, AIR has conducted studies of teacher professional learning and helped practitioners use evidence to develop, implement, test, and scale professional learning programs.
There currently is unprecedented interest in improving teacher evaluation systems, yet in many cases, the role of teachers in shaping the process has been minimal. A new online resource provides school and district leaders with comprehensive materials they can use to encourage teacher involvement in the process. ...
As the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged teachers to shift instruction to distance learning platforms, it also has exposed the need for professional learning opportunities to help teachers adapt to this “new normal.” Lynn Holdheide answered a few questions about how districts and schools can turn this crisis into an opportunity ...
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Healthy Students, in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, have selected AIR to operate the National Center on Safe, Supportive Learning Environments. This new center will ensure that state education agencies, local education agencies, schools, and colleges ...
A new report prepared by experts from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education examines how five school districts measured teacher effectiveness and used effectiveness information in human resource policies.