AIR advocates for policies, regulations, and legislation that support the optimization of data access, infrastructure, transparency, and use within higher education. The association also contributes the perspective and expertise of institutional research, institutional effectiveness, and other data professionals in policy and regulatory discussions as well as to support emerging research and innovations that expand the informed use of data and analysis.
Latest Advocacy Activities & Policy-Related News
-
AIR Joins Postsecondary Data Collaborative Letter on ACTS to U.S. Department of Education
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) has joined a coalition of 34 organizations in signing a formal letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Education regarding the proposed Admissions and Consumer Transpar...Read Moreabout: AIR Joins Postsecondary Data Collaborative Letter on ACTS to U.S. Department of Education -
AIR Submits Additional Comments on Proposed ACTS Survey
On December 15, 2025, the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) submitted additional written comments to the U.S. Department of Education in response to new documentation released for the proposed Admissions and C...Read Moreabout: AIR Submits Additional Comments on Proposed ACTS Survey -
AIR Submits Recommendations on the Redesign of the Institute of Education Sciences
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Education in response to its Request for Information on Redesigning the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) (Docket I...Read Moreabout: AIR Submits Recommendations on the Redesign of the Institute of Education Sciences
Ongoing Advisory and Advocacy Work
AIR participates in advisory groups, coalitions, and committees at the national level to support research, policies, and data collections that advance the effective, ethical, and impactful use of data, information, and analytics within higher education.
AIR also seeks to elevate the expertise, insights, and experience of AIR community members in the development and implementation of policies and practices
- Washington Higher Education Secretariat
- College Board Admissions Research Consortium Advisory Board
- Higher Endeavor—Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Postsecondary Ecosystem
- IHEP Postsecondary Data Collaborative
- College Scorecard Technical Review Panel
- IPEDS Technical Review Panels
- IPEDS National Postsecondary Education Cooperative
- 2023-24 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:24) Technical Review Panel
- Faculty, Academic Careers, and Environments (FACE) Advisory Board
- Common Data Set Advisory Board
- National Coalition to Accelerate Adoption of Learning and Employment Records in Postsecondary Education (LER Accelerator)
Abilities and Limitations
AIR Can
- Partner with other associations or organizations to provide the perspective of data professionals on particular policies, regulations or legislation.
- Advocate for legislation, policies, and/or regulations that support improved data availability, infrastructure, metrics, and transparency.
- Provide technical assistance to or educate legislators and legislative staff.
- Educate members and stakeholders on the (potential) impact of policies, regulations, and legislation.
AIR Cannot
- Ask a legislator to vote for, against, or amend a specific bill through social media, letters, email, or visits to legislative offices.
- Mobilize AIR members or stakeholders to take a particular action for or against a specific bill or legislation.
- Publicly support policy or legislative positions that do not reflect general agreement within the IR/data community.