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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AIR Joins Higher Education Organizations in Providing Feedback on Proposed Admissions Data Collection
The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) joined a coalition of higher education associations that submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Education expressing concerns about the proposed Admissions and Consu...Read Moreabout: AIR Joins Higher Education Organizations in Providing Feedback on Proposed Admissions Data Collection -
AIR Joins Higher Education Associations in Opposing PSLF Overhaul
AIR joined 44 other higher education associations this week in submitting comments on the Department of Education’s proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The proposal would revise ...Read Moreabout: AIR Joins Higher Education Associations in Opposing PSLF Overhaul -
Proposed IPEDS ACTS Component: AIR Community Survey Results
When the U.S. Department of Education proposed adding an Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to IPEDS beginning in 2025–26, AIR recognized the importance of elevating institutional voices in that...Read Moreabout: Proposed IPEDS ACTS Component: AIR Community Survey Results
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.