The image is a promotional banner for "Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week" in 2026, taking place April 20-24. It features two individuals engaged in an activity with a child. The banner includes a heart graphic and the hashtag #HeartOfAfterschool. The National AfterSchool Association logo is displayed at the bottom.

During #Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (Apr. 20–24), AIR joins others in recognizing the workforce behind high-quality programs. Our brief examines their roles and why clarity supports career pathways: https://www.air.org/project/out-school-time-cost-study

#HeartofAfterSchool

Two individuals in safety helmets and vests are on a construction site, reviewing plans on a tablet and a laptop. Equipment and pipes are visible in the background.

AIR is partnering with Apprenticeships for America to help states design pay‑for‑performance apprenticeship funding models. With support from Arnold Ventures, AIR will lead the research—developing metrics and frameworks to measure outcomes.

https://bit.ly/4mtI7bD

Image of the AIR Health News cover. A person in a white coat with a stethoscope looks at a tablet. The text highlights topics like Medicare Advantage payments, U.S. birth rate, prior authorization, and more. "RFI Submissions Due April 24" and "APRIL 2026" are noted. AIR logo and website are at the bottom.

AIR Health News is out—and it includes a last call to share ideas on responsible AI in health care, plus updates on Medicare policy, prior authorization, and population health trends.

https://icont.ac/51gDm

Arielle Lentz smiling and holding a framed certificate at an American Educational Research Association event.

🎉 Congrats to Arielle Lentz, an AIR out-of-school-time (OST) expert who received the 2026 OST SIG Emerging Scholar Award at last week's #AERA2026. The award recognizes her contributions to OST research and community-centered learning.

Two individuals wearing safety gear are walking between rows of solar panels on a large rooftop.

Skills‑based practices are gaining traction in city government, but implementation matters.
In a new AIR blog, we share what we’re learning from cities putting skills‑based approaches into practice across hiring and workforce development.

https://bit.ly/41tRb6T

A promotional image titled "Where Can AI Strengthen Health?" with a call for submissions due by April 24. It features six icons with labels: Research and Evidence, Care Delivery and Operations, Public Health and Population Health, Access and Community Impact, Responsible AI and Governance, and Emerging Tech Horizons. The logo for AIR.org is at the bottom.

Have a health care AI use case that actually works in practice? We want to know what it takes to measure value and manage risk.

Share your input by 4/24: www.air.org/resource/blog-post/we-wa...

A group of students is seated in a semicircle in a classroom, attentively listening to a person standing and speaking. Desks are arranged in a U-shape. The room is brightly lit and the atmosphere appears engaged and focused.

District and secondary school teams can apply to AIR’s Insights Summer Training Institute to strengthen attendance and engagement using practical, data‑driven strategies.

Express interest by 4/15: www.air.org/event/insights-student-s...

Hiring Based on Skills, not Degrees, Can Build a More Effective Workforce – DC Journal - InsideSources Thousands of qualified Americans are screened out of government jobs each year before a hiring manager even sees their names. It's not because they lack

Degrees aren’t always the best proxy for job performance. In a new DC Journal op‑ed, AIR’s Julie Kochanek explains why skills‑based hiring can help build a more effective public‑sector workforce.

dcjournal.com/hiring-based-on-skills-n...

How to Make English-Learner Funding 'Fair and Effective' Experts share how state funding models can better support English learners with various needs.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all funding model for English-language (EL) students.”—AIR’s Tammy Kolbe

An @edweek.org article shares insights from an AIR webinar on why EL funding should be cost-based and aligned with students’ needs, not flat formulas. https://bit.ly/4sswO4N

**Alt text**: A conference announcement for the "ASUGSV Summit" happening on Wednesday, April 15 in San Diego, CA. It features a main stage panel titled "Recruit, Retain, and Engage with Agentic AI" from 11:00 to 11:40 a.m. The speaker is identified as an "AIR Expert," named Christina Yancey. The image includes the AIR logo and website, AIR.org.

Main stage panel announcement for "Crisis to Capability: Reinventing Entry-Level Work" at ASUGSV Summit on Wednesday, April 15, from 10:10 to 10:50 A.M. in San Diego, CA. Includes a photo of an individual labeled "AIR Expert Stephanie Veck." The design features AIR and AIR.org logos.

AIR is heading to #ASUGSV2026 in San Diego—one of the leading convenings on education and skills from PreK to Gray. Our team will be engaging on scaling what works, responsible uses of AI, and research-driven partnerships that support real-world impact. https://asugsvsummit.com/

This image is a cover of "AIR Health News" for April 2026. It features a person in a white coat looking at a tablet. The text highlights topics such as AIR's call for healthcare innovation ideas using artificial intelligence and new gene therapy treatments. The AIR logo is present at the bottom.

How is AI changing health care? What works and for whom? Read our latest Health news to learn about our call for ideas on AI and health care innovation. It also includes news on emerging treatments and new data on how people access and navigate health information today. https://icont.ac/51g5o

Computer Science teacher Rosina Mukarram works with a student in her classroom at Carver Military Academy. 

REL Midwest’s new documentary explores factors that influence #ChronicAbsenteeism and strategies to improve #Attendance and #StudentEngagement in two @chipubschools.bsky.social.

ies.ed.gov/use-work/resource-librar...

A person sleeping in a bed with a colorful blanket is covered by a white mosquito net. A scenic view of hills and greenery can be seen through the open window.

Malaria cases in Ethiopia rose to 7.3M in 2024. AIR researchers outline how country‑led forecasting and early warning models can improve projections, guide earlier action, and help prevent future crises.

air.org/resource/blog-post/proje...

A conference flyer titled "Understanding Student Enrollment in Advanced Courses: The Implementation of Washington's Academic Acceleration Policy." Presented by Megan Austin and Preeya Mbekeani. Event date: Wednesday, April 8, 7:45 AM – 9:15 AM. Hosted by AIR.

This is a flyer for a symposium at AERA 2026 taking place on Thursday, April 9, from 7:45 AM to 9:15 AM. The symposium focuses on the special education teacher workforce, addressing composition, distribution, and effectiveness across contexts. The title reads, "The Composition, Distribution, and Stability of the Special Education Teacher Workforce in Seven States." Authors listed are Allison Gilmour and Roddy Theobald. The flyer features a headshot of a smiling individual. The event is hosted by AIR, with their website, AIR.org, mentioned.

The image is a promotional poster for an AERA Presidential Session event scheduled for Friday, April 10, from 9:45 AM to 11:15 AM. The session, titled "The State of the K-12 Teaching Profession: Perennial Challenges and New Possibilities," features a presenter named Roddy Theobold. The poster includes the AIR and AIR.org logos.

Structured poster session flyer for AERA 2026. Session titled "Computer Science and AI Education: Expanding Capacity and Access." Features five AIR-authored papers on topics such as AI literacy and industry partnerships. Includes photo of two individuals labeled as AIR Chairs, with names Katie Rich and Robert Schwarzhaupt. Date and time noted as Friday, April 10, 11:45 AM – 1:15 PM. AIR.org logo at the bottom.

AIR experts will present at @aeraedresearch.bsky.social and @ncme38.bsky.social this April, sharing research and practical insights across key education and assessment priorities. See our #AERA2026 and #NCME sessions:
https://bit.ly/4ceJxmR

Two teachers engaged in conversation at an orange table, one holding a smartphone. The setting appears to be a modern office or conference area with bright lighting. The person facing towards the viewer is wearing glasses and a patterned yellow shirt, while the other has long dark hair tied back.

ICYMI: A new @caldercenter.bsky.social and NCTQ brief shows how states can use better data to improve student teaching experiences and prepare teachers for classroom success.

🔗 caldercenter.org/publications/lessons-sta...

As States Seek Waivers for Education Block Grants, Some Lessons From ESSER Therriault: Federal emergency funds promoted innovation in schools but not accountability. The Ed Department must make sure that doesn't happen again.

More states want flexibility to merge federal education programs into block grants. Iowa has approval, and Indiana is pursuing it. In @the74.bsky.social, AIR’s Susan Therriault outlines how states can turn flexibility into stronger outcomes.

https://bit.ly/4t94tBm

Poster for the CIES 2026 Annual Conference in San Francisco, featuring the Golden Gate Bridge. Includes text about AIR experts presenting at the event, scheduled for March 28 to April 1. The AIR logo and website are visible at the bottom.

Headed to #CIES2026? AIR staff will share research on foundational learning, language of instruction, multilingual education policy, and WASH interventions. Details: www.air.org/news/press-release/ameri...

A male doctor in a white lab coat with a stethoscope and glasses uses a tablet in a bright, modern medical office.

What’s worth scaling in healthcare AI, and what still needs proof? AIR is gathering input to shape future research and partnerships. Submit your ideas by 4/24: www.air.org/resource/blog-post/we-wa...

A waiting area with several people seated, looking at electronic devices or resting. A window shows an outdoor view. The image promotes "AIR Health News" with topics on healthcare affordability and organ donation guidelines. A green circle on the right displays the date "March 2026." The bottom corners feature the AIR logo and website.

The latest AIR Health News covers major trends in health care affordability, updated federal guidance on organ donation and procurement, Medicare Advantage payment dynamics, and key public health insights. Explore the issues shaping policy and practice: https://icont.ac/51fsO

The image is a cover of a publication titled "AIR News" from the American Institutes for Research. The cover includes three separate photos of individuals smiling. The text highlights "The AI Century Study" with a focus on "Studying the Long-Term Effects of AI on Humans." There is a circle indicating the publication date as March 2026. The AIR logo and website, air.org, are at the bottom.

New! The March AIR Newsletter shares new insights across education, health, and the workforce, including how AI may shape learning and work, along with timely research and practical resources for decision‑makers.

Read more: https://icont.ac/51fqX

Four people stand in a well-lit conference room smiling at the camera. Left to right: Jenny Scala, Ben Kalina, Christine Olmstead, Leib Sutcher. There are tables and chairs, with other individuals working in the background. Framed pictures are on the walls.

AIR’s team from the West Comprehensive Center partnered with the CCEECA to share findings informing California’s Portrait of a Graduate/Learner—highlighting what students need to thrive beyond school.

ccee-ca.org/hot-topics/hot-topics-ca...

Two professionals are engaged in a discussion in front of a large digital display filled with graphs, charts, and data visualizations. They are wearing business attire and ID badges.

AIR education policy experts will share data and insights at the 51st Annual #AEFP2026 Conference in Chicago, starting Thursday. Topics include #SpecialEd workforce, AI in school finance, and evidence‑based decisionmaking. virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/public/75879/homep...

A group of young children engaged in play around a table, using colorful building blocks and toys. An adult sits with them, smiling. Shelves with more toys are visible in the background, creating a lively and educational atmosphere.

Cost estimates are a key contributor to early care and education programs, but producing accurate estimates can be complicated. AIR experts developed best practices for state and local governments to address this challenge: https://bit.ly/4d0J6h5

NEW: New tech doesn’t just change what we can do—it changes how we live. AIR’s AI Century Study will follow U.S. children and families across 100 years to understand how AI shapes human development, experience, and society.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/46SnKP3

Fraud Risks in an Evolving Medicare Program | American Institutes for Research AIR researchers examined fraud and abuse risks as Medicare beneficiaries move from traditional coverage to private managed care plans.

Fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare don’t just raise costs—they can harm quality of care and put beneficiaries at risk. AIR experts reviewed the evidence to assess how Medicare Advantage may change the landscape—and what’s at stake for users.

https://bit.ly/4lmazvN

A group of women gathered outdoors in a rural setting. One person is wearing a purple sari and holding a notepad, appearing to converse with others who are dressed in colorful traditional clothing. A small child sits on an adult's lap. Woven cots are visible in the background.

On #InternationalWomensDay, we recognize the achievements of women worldwide and the role of evidence and practical solutions in shaping effective programs.

Learn how AIR supports women and girls globally:
www.air.org/resource/spotlight/inter...

A healthcare professional shows something on a tablet to an older adult seated nearby. The setting is a bright, clinical environment with flowers on a table in the background. The text on the image reads, "AIR Health News: In this edition, learn about Medicare Advantage fraud, waste, and abuse; women's heart attack risks; organ donation changes; and more. March 2026." The AIR logo is visible at the bottom.

New from AIR Health News:

🩺 Combatting fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare Advantage
❤️ Women’s heart attack risk
🫀 Organ donation policy changes
📊 CDC obesity data

Read more: https://icont.ac/51eRX

A group of four people stands beside a vertical banner for ATP Global, displaying "Welcome to Innovations in Testing." They are indoors on a patterned carpet, dressed in business-casual attire, and wearing name badges.

AIR experts were pleased to discuss AI governance and adaptive tools to accessibility, security, and advanced psychometrics with assessment leaders at the ATP #Innovations2026 conference this week.

Learn more about AIR’s work: www.air.org/our-work/workforce/human...

Targeting Mechanisms and Exclusion Errors in Cash Transfer Programs in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico | American Institutes for Research AIR will host a virtual discussion grounded in the findings from three country case studies as a part of the Improving Access to Cash Transfers in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia project, which analyzed the scale and drivers of exclusion errors across thre...

Why do eligible families miss cash transfer programs? Often it’s not eligibility—it’s access.
New evidence from Brazil, Colombia and Mexico shows how program design shapes who’s reached. Join our March 11 webinar to learn what works.
👉 https://bit.ly/4slISFE

A person in orange coveralls and another in a white helmet review a mechanical setup, holding a clipboard. The cover page reads: "AIR News - The Latest News and Information from the American Institutes for Research, Feb 2026." The AIR logo is present at the bottom.

📬 AIR’s February newsletter is out!

This month: skills‑based hiring with states, expert insights on education research, new opportunities for researchers, and upcoming events—including AI in education and the teacher workforce.

Read more: https://icont.ac/51emd