American Institutes for Research (AIR)

AIR is one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world. The institutes' overriding goal is to use the best science available to bring the most effective ideas and approaches to enhancing everyday life. Founded in 1946 as a not-for-profit organization, The instititues conduct their work with strict independence, objectivity, and non-partisanship. The intellectual diversity of its 1,500 employees enables the organization to bring together experts from many fields in the search for innovative answers to any challenge. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT The organization enhances the capacity of developing countries to improve their citizens’ quality of life through education and social development. In collaboration with local partners, the organization helps ensure equitable access to all levels of education for children around the world. The organization improves the quality and relevance of education in developing countries. The organization's work empowers individuals, communities, and institutions as agents of social and behavioral change. Child Labor AIR works to eliminate and prevent child labor through education and skills training and through community-wide interventions that change attitudes and behaviors that sustain child labor practices. The organization takes a holistic approach by addressing not only children’s educational needs, but also their health needs, their families' economic situations and societal pressures. Education Assessment and Evaluation AIR's educational assessment work in developing countries helps governments determine what students should know and be able to do in relation to standards and curriculum. The organization's work includes formative, summative, diagnostic, and international assessment, and is used to measure student or system performance. It is also used for accountability at the school or district level. Education Systems Reform Working collaboratively with Ministries of Education, development agencies, and donors, AIR is coordinating educational improvement reforms. The organization's work supports effective policy dialogue and financing, and strengthens policies and systems for teacher training, school health and nutrition, literacy programs and inclusive strategies for learners with disabilities. Health and Education Linkages In developing countries, linking education and health efforts has helped improve people's quality of life. Major population and health studies consistently show that educational attainment has a substantial effect in terms of behavior and attitude towards health. AIR successfully brings health and education together by focusing on: - HIV/AIDS mitigation - School health and nutrition - Behavior change communication Inclusive Development Inclusive development focuses on the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities and their organizations in development cooperation. People with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are often invisible to donors and implementers. As a leader in the area, AIR supports and encourages disability leaders and experts to have a “seat at the table” in program design and provide technical resources in program implementation. Workforce Development AIR prepares individuals, particularly youth, for success in the international labor market by providing them with skills that match the current needs of employers and the economy. The organization develops training programs that enable young people to enter a variety of industries that require well-developed technical skills. Additional workforce development efforts focus on providing skills maintenance and enhancement through continuing education to those already employed, and retraining for displaced workers. Commitments to the Clinton Global Initiative AIR has been a member of the Clinton Global Initiative since 2008. Currently, AIR has three Commitments to the Clinton Global Initiative: - Global School-Based Deworming - Support to the Deworm the World Secretariat - Quality Education for More Children in Haiti