February 2026

AERA News

AERA Announces 2026 Fellows
AERA has announced the selection of 34 exemplary scholars as the 2026 class of AERA Fellows. Read more

AERA and The 74 to Hold Webinar on Artificial Intelligence in Student Assessment—Register Now
AERA and The 74 will present a free public webinar, AI in Student Assessment: Promise, Potential, and Risks, on March 18 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Read more

AERA Open Authors Awarded TIRF Alatis Prize
Scott E. Grapin and Eunae Kim have been named this year’s co-recipients of the TIRF James E. Alatis Prize for their 2025 AERA Open article, “District Supervisors’ Sensemaking and Implementation of English Language Development Standards: WIDA 2020 Edition." Read more

Annual Meeting News

AERA Annual Meeting to Gather Education Researchers for Five Days of Ideas and Engagement
In less than two months, education researchers from across the U.S. and around the world will convene for the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, April 8–12. Read more

AERA is strongly encouraging members and friends of education research to join its continuing effort to expand access to the Annual Meeting for graduate students by giving to the Annual Meeting Graduate Student Assistance Fund. Read more

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AERA Fellows Corner

In this issue, we introduce the AERA Fellows Corner, a new feature section spotlighting the work and perspectives of our AERA Fellows and amplifying their many positive impacts on society through transformative education research, practice, and leadership.

Research Policy and Funding News

House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Science of Reading
On February 10, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the implementation of science of reading policies at the state level in K–12 schools. Read more

NIH Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans No Longer Classified as Clinical Trials
On January 29, the National Institutes of Health issued a notice announcing that Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans will no longer be subject to the requirements of the NIH clinical trial definition. Read more

AERA Calls

Call for Editors: Review of Educational Research Volumes 97–99 (2027–2029)–Applications due March 2

Call for Editors: Educational Researcher Volumes 56–58 (2027–2029)–Applications due March 2

Call for Proposals: Review of Research in Education Volume 51 (2027) on Reviews of Racialization Processes and Racism–Proposals due April 1

AERA Hiring Announcement: Director of Membership, Outreach, and Engagement

AERA seeks an experienced senior membership professional to lead member service and engagement. Applications should include a resume, letter of interest, and three references; a writing sample will be requested prior to interviews.

Contribute to Federal Research and Data Policy

AERA members are encouraged to submit research- and data-informed comments on the following open opportunities.

Reimagining and Improving Student Education – Comments Due: March 2
The Department of Education has proposed updates to federal student loan programs, including the definitions of “professional student” and “graduate student” for graduate degree programs. These changes affect how student loan amount caps are determined. Learn more and comment.

National Special Education Spending Study – Comments Due: March 30
The National Center for Education Statistics is proposing a new data collection to estimate spending on special education services for students with disabilities, overall and by disability category, including state, district, and school expenditures. This 60-day public comment period is part of an information clearance review by the Office of Management and Budget. Learn more and comment.

Shaping Federal Research Policy

Recent comments and letters from AERA influencing federal research policy.

AERA Comments on the Draft FY 2026-2030 National Science Foundation (NSF) Strategic Plan (January 27)
AERA emphasized the importance of continued investment in basic research at NSF–including education research and the social and behavioral sciences–and highlighted opportunities to leverage STEM education research to support the agency’s mission and priorities.

In Memoriam

AERA members who have recently passed away

^♦Ernest Morrell (1971­­–2026)
Ernest Morrel, 54, died on February 4. He was the Coyle Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Notre Dame, AERA Fellow, and a former at-large member of AERA Council. Read more

Dawn Schrader (1958–2026)
Dawn Schrader, 67, died on January 6. She was an associate professor in the Department of Communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. Read more

Beyond AERA

Visit the Beyond AERA webpage for professional advancement opportunities from other organizations, including calls for papers and submissions, meetings and conferences, and other activities.

AERA in the News

CPS report cards should reflect learning, not a snapshot | Opinion
The Columbus Dispatch, February 13

More AERA in the News

AERA Highlights is published by the American Educational Research Association monthly to inform members and others interested in education research about the latest news and developments in AERA and in the field.

Executive Director: Tabbye Chavous
Editor: Tony Pals
Editorial and Production Team: Marla Koenigsknecht, John Neikirk, Audrey Poe
Contributors: Marla Koenigsknecht, John Neikirk, Audrey Poe, Christy Talbot