AAI

What AAI does

AAI (The Achievement & Assessment Institute) is a designated research institute at the University of Kansas, founded in 2012 through the merger of the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation and the Institute for Educational Research and Public Services. Operating from Lawrence, Kansas, it runs 16 specialized centers spanning educational assessment, child welfare, public partnerships, emerging technology, learner agency, and youth development, with roughly 50 to 100 staff and a portfolio of research, programs, and software products serving Kansas state agencies and select out-of-state clients.

The institute's core technology portfolio centers on the Kite Suite assessment platform — a multi-device, cloud-based testing system built on secure AWS infrastructure that underpins large-scale state assessments (including the Dynamic Learning Maps alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities) and is now extending into public safety certification through a 2025 partnership with the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute. Complementary technology products include the IRIS community referral platform (over 100,000 referrals processed statewide), VOISS (virtual reality social skills training), iKNOW (AI-adaptive learning tools for English learners and students with disabilities), an AI math chatbot, and the Family Well-Being Survey. The 2023 launch of the FLITE center formalized its emerging-technology focus.

AAI operates almost entirely on grant funding and government contracts rather than commercial sales. Revenue flows from federal agencies (U.S. Department of Education, MIECHV), three Kansas state departments (Education, Health and Environment, Children and Families), the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund, contracted K-12 districts, community organizations such as All Our Kids Networks and DCCCA, and recent additions including the Rural Alaska Schools five-year contract and a Michigan TANF advisory engagement. CPPR alone averages 50 to 60 grant submissions per year with award sizes ranging from under $100,000 to multi-million dollars. Go-to-market is direct, sales-led relationship work with public agencies rather than channel or self-serve distribution, and pricing is not publicly disclosed because services are grant-funded multi-year contracts.

Name

AAI

Legal name

The Achievement & Assessment Institute

Website

https://aai.ku.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AAI is the University of Kansas's designated research institute, operating 16 centers that deliver grant-funded educational assessment (Kite Suite, Dynamic Learning Maps), child welfare and community health programs (CPPR, IRIS), and emerging-technology research (FLITE, VOISS, iKNOW) to Kansas state agencies and select out-of-state public-sector clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Assessment and Research Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assessment, Testing & Analytics Platforms (Formative/Summative) (EDAJAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Assistive Technology (AT) Evaluations & Needs Assessments (EDAKAIAA), AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB), Assessment Analytics & Item/Question Intelligence (IRT, Item Banks, Diagnostic Insights) (EDAFAFAG)

Keywords

• Educational assessment systems
• Research institute services
• Child welfare programs
• Community referral platforms
• Public safety certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: AAI operates primarily through federally and state-funded research grants and contracts. They receive funding from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education, federal MIECHV programs, Kansas state agencies, and other public funding sources. CPPR averages 50-60 grant submissions per year with awards ranging from under $100,000 to multi-million dollar awards.
2. State Government Contracts: AAI generates revenue through contracts with state departments of education and other state agencies for assessment systems and educational services (Note: This references Airport Authority of India context, but AAI-KU also serves as a contracted service provider for Kansas state agencies).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AAI (Achievement & Assessment Institute) is a university-based research institute at the University of Kansas that partners with schools, organizations, and communities to strengthen systems supporting learning and well-being. It develops and delivers large-scale educational assessment platforms (Kite Suite, Dynamic Learning Maps), a community referral coordination platform (IRIS), AI/VR-based learning tools (VOISS, iKNOW), and research/evaluation services through 16 specialized centers. Its work is funded primarily through federal and state grants and government contracts.

Product overview

AAI (Achievement & Assessment Institute) is a designated research institute at the University of Kansas with 16 specialized centers. The organization operates as a multi-center research and product development institute rather than a single unified product. Key products include Kite Suite (flagship assessment platform by ATS for large-scale educational assessments), IRIS (community referral platform enabling cross-sector coordination), and Dynamic Learning Maps DLM (alternate assessment system by ATLAS for students with significant cognitive disabilities). AI-enhanced tools include VOISS (virtual reality social skills training) and iKNOW (AI-driven adaptive learning tools). The portfolio spans assessment systems, educational software, research centers covering public partnerships, educational leadership, technology innovation, competency-based education, youth development, and athletic performance research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ATLAS (Accessible Teaching, Learning, & Assessment Systems): Assessment systems for students with significant cognitive disabilities, including the Dynamic Learning Maps alternate assessment system.
• Kite Suite
• IRIS

Products and services

• Kite Suite A comprehensive online assessment system running on secure Amazon Web Services infrastructure, designed for cross-platform, multi-device use. Includes accessibility features such as text-to-speech, student feedback submission, and answer contestation. Used by state education agencies for K-12 assessments and by public safety training institutes for computer-based certification testing.
• Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) An alternate assessment system designed to help students with significant cognitive disabilities achieve in school through learning map-based assessments. Developed and operated by ATLAS (Accessible Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Systems), a center within AAI.
• IRIS Community Referral Platform A community referral platform that enables cross-sector referrals and coordination, supporting community-based organizations and families in accessing services such as child welfare, health, and family support programs.
• Family Well-Being Survey A nationally adopted survey instrument used to measure family well-being outcomes and support cross-sector coordination of family services.
• Research and Program Evaluation Services Applied research and program evaluation services delivered to state agencies, school districts, and community organizations, covering education, child welfare, family well-being, and public policy. Funded through grants and contracts.
• VOISS (Virtual Reality Social Skills Training) Virtual reality software that helps educators teach students social skills in a simulated virtual environment before applying those skills in real settings. Designed for students with disabilities and social learning needs.
• iKNOW (AI Adaptive Learning Software) AI-powered software using adaptive tools to support student learning in real time, particularly for English learners and students with significant cognitive disabilities.
• AI Math Chatbot for Personalized Support An AI chatbot that delivers personalized math support to middle school students, integrating AI-driven instruction into classroom learning.
• SUD Mapping Tool An interactive mapping tool that visualizes substance use disorder data by Kansas county, supporting public health planning and resource allocation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% decrease in substantiated child maltreatment (surpassing 10% target)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute (KFRTI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KFRTI partners with ATS to enhance firefighter certification through computer-based assessments using Kite Suite. KFRTI is the official fire credentialing institute in Kansas, certifying firefighters across all 105 counties.
• State of Michigan (TANF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CPPR partnered with Michigan's TANF program to provide insights on how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding is used and how it might be refined to better serve families facing economic insecurity.
• U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CIDDL advisors contributed to the OET report on AI integration in education titled 'Empowering Education Leaders: A Toolkit for Safe, Ethical, and Equitable AI Integration'.
• Rural Alaska SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025ATLAS received a five-year, $3 million contract to enhance math instruction in rural Alaska by connecting classroom learning to students' lives and local traditions.
• Kansas Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansas Department of Education is a primary partner for AAI's assessment systems development and implementation, including the Kite Suite platform for state assessments and Dynamic Learning Maps alternate assessment system.
• Kansas Department of Health and EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKDHE partners with AAI on early childhood wellness, maternal health initiatives, and developmental screening programs through Kansas Care and Wellness Conferences and KIDOS initiative.
• Kansas Department for Children and FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCF collaborates with AAI on child welfare prevention, family support services, and substance use disorder response systems through CPPR's various initiatives.
• Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partner for child welfare and family well-being initiatives, collaborating on prevention of foster care removals and development of Child and Family Well-Being Pathway.
• University of Kansas School of Education and Human SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAI maintains deep integration with KU's School of Education and Human Sciences, collaborating on research projects, hosting affiliated faculty, and sharing resources and expertise.
• Kansas State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnerships with other Kansas universities on educational research and evaluation projects.
• Lawrence Homeless Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerATS partnered with Lawrence's Homeless Resource Center to strengthen their technology and data systems, supporting infrastructure, data practices, and decision-making.
• All Our Kids (AOK) NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRIS began as a promising pilot with the All Our Kids Networks and evolved into a statewide collaborative effort that has reached over 100,000 referrals.
• DCCCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for substance use and opioid conference support, with graphic recording services provided by CPPR staff.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• RAND Corporation: Policy research organization conducting education, child welfare, and public safety research for federal and state agencies. Comparable in grant-funded research depth and impact methodology used by CPPR.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): The largest U.S. assessment organization with broad K-12, higher-ed, and licensure testing portfolios. Provides scale, brand, and research rigor benchmarks relevant to AAI's assessment and research work.
• NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association): Nonprofit provider of MAP Growth interim assessments widely adopted by U.S. school districts. Comparable as a nonprofit mission-driven assessment organization serving K-12 educators at scale.
• Pearson Assessment: Global education conglomerate offering K-12 assessment solutions alongside instructional products. Competes with Kite Suite for state assessment contracts and with DLM in alternate assessment categories.

Emerging players

• Center for Assessment: Specialized consultancy focused on assessment quality, validity, and coherence frameworks. Directly comparable to AAI's Comprehensive Alignment Framework for Assessment Systems and DLM research priorities.

Direct peers

• Cambium Assessment: Pure-play K-12 summative and interim assessment vendor serving multiple state departments of education. Directly comparable in the large-scale online assessment space where Kite Suite competes.
• WestEd: Nonprofit educational research and assessment organization that develops K-12 assessment systems and conducts large-scale evaluation work for states. Directly comparable to AAI's university-based, research-driven assessment model.
• American Institutes for Research (AIR): Major nonprofit research organization providing assessment development, evaluation, and technical assistance to state education agencies. Closely parallels AAI's CPPR/ATS research-to-product model serving state departments of education and health.
• Questar Assessment: Provider of state K-12 assessments including alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities, directly competitive with Dynamic Learning Maps.
• Data Recognition Corporation (DRC / Cognia): Large-scale K-12 assessment provider that operated predecessor Kite-related assessment programs before their transfer to AAI/KU; competes head-to-head with Kite Suite and DLM in state assessment procurements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AAIatKU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-achievement-assessment-institute-at-ku
• Xx.com/AAI_at_KU

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AAI