What is the American Institutes for Research?

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the United States and around the world. Their expertise in education policy research, particularly school finance, sets the standard in the field. AIR uses the best research methods to undertake studies in school finance that shed light on how educational funding and resources can be distributed more equitably across districts/schools and used more efficiently to improve the outcomes of students. 

For nearly two decades, AIR researchers have conducted increasingly sophisticated evaluations of school funding in the state of New York; with Dr. Jesse Levin serving as deputy project director, they conducted the original New York adequacy study as part of the remedial phase of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York litigation. Levin has collaborated with colleagues within and outside of AIR to conduct over half a dozen state-level school finance studies, as well as studies of resource allocation, funding, and spending associated with major federal programs, including special education services supported by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and compensatory education supported by the Title I program. Learn more about their school finance research.