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
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Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Affecting ACTS Reporting Timeline
AIR is monitoring a recent legal development that may affect the timeline associated with the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) reporting requirement.A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a tem...Read Moreabout: Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Affecting ACTS Reporting Timeline -
ACTS Reporting Update: Conditional Extensions May Be Granted Through April 8
According to guidance confirmed with leadership at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), institutions that are unable to meet the March 18, 2026, deadline for submitting data to the Admissions and Consumer...Read Moreabout: ACTS Reporting Update: Conditional Extensions May Be Granted Through April 8 -
Institutional Research Community Joins National Higher Ed Coalition in Comments on ED’s RISE Proposal
On March 2, 2026, a broad coalition of higher education associations—including the Association for Institutional Research (AIR)—joined the American Council on Education (ACE) and more than 60 peer institution...Read Moreabout: Institutional Research Community Joins National Higher Ed Coalition in Comments on ED’s RISE Proposal
AIR Data Policy Advisory Panel
The AIR Data Policy Advisory Panel will serve as an expert body representing the experience and technical expertise of professionals who work closely with higher education data, analytics, and policy.
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— Gates Foundation Postsecondary Ecosystem
- IHEP Postsecondary Data Collaborative
- College Scorecard Technical Review Panel
- IPEDS Technical Review Panels
- IPEDS National Postsecondary Education Cooperative
- 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.