November 2025
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AERA News
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Registration for the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting Opens in December
AERA is gearing up for the 2026 Annual Meeting, April 8–12 in Los Angeles. Read more
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James A. Banks Delivers 2025 Brown Lecture
James A. Banks delivered the 2025 Annual Brown Lecture in Education Research, “Rethinking Brown When Diversity and Equity Are Imperiled and Democracy Is Fragile,” on October 23 to a small in-person audience at the Dr. Felice J. Levine Convening Center in Washington, D.C., and a virtual audience of nearly 1,500 viewers, including over 120 watch parties. Read more
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AERA Past President W. James Popham Dies
Renowned education scholar and AERA Past President W. James “Jim” Popham passed away on July 16 at the age of 94. Read more
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AERA Calls for Support of 2026 Annual Meeting Graduate Student Assistance Fund
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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WERA Celebrates 15th Anniversary at Focal Meeting in Brazil
The World Education Research Association convened its 2025 Focal Meeting in João Pessoa, Brazil, October 26–30. Read more
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AERA Member Hirokazu Yoshikawa Awarded the 2025 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize
AERA member Hirokazu Yoshikawa has been awarded the 2025 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize for his outstanding contributions to early childhood development. Read more
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Research Policy and Funding News
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Federal Government Shutdown Ends, Funding and Data Activities Resume
After 43 days, the federal government shutdown ended on November 12 with President Trump signing the FY 2026 appropriations agreement into law. Read more
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Join or Renew Your AERA Membership Today!
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Bringing Research Forward
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| Read – AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous published an opinion piece in The Hill, titled “For Education Researchers, Real-World Solutions Matter Most.” She emphasized the importance of rigorous, equity-focused education research and the field’s commitment to producing scholarship that informs practice and policy. |
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Read – In Inside Higher Ed, Chavous discussed cuts at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), noting that “severe staff shortages continue to threaten data quality, slow research progress, and undermine public trust.”
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| Read – In Education Week, Chavous highlighted the need for the U.S. Department of Education to commit resources to IES, stating that “now is the time for the department to make meaningful investments in IES’s staffing and infrastructure as part of any reform effort.” |
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Read – An NPR piece on a new Review of Educational Research article reports that social-emotional learning can boost grades and test scores.
Related: Full RER article | AERA news release
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Watch – James Banks (University of Washington, Seattle) delivered the 2025 Brown Lecture, titled “Rethinking Brown When Diversity and Equity Are Imperiled and Democracy Is Fragile,” followed by discussion forum and Q&A.
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Watch – Peter Riley Bahr (Strada Institute for the Future of Work) shares major findings and implications from the new EEPA article “Labor Market Returns to Community College Noncredit Occupational Education.”
Related: Full EEPA article | AERA news release
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AERA Calls
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2026 AERA Committee Nominations—Deadline: November 28
2026 AERA Annual Meeting Graduate Student Assistance Fund—Deadline for Applications: January 7, 2026
AERA Open Special Topic on Engaging and Retaining Individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—Deadline for Abstracts: February 1, 2026
Review of Educational Research Volumes 97–99 (2027–2029)—Deadline for Applications: March 2, 2026
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Shaping Federal Research Policy
Recent comments and letters from AERA influencing federal research policy.
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Census Project Letter on Finalizing FY 2026 Appropriations (October 30)
AERA joined fellow Census Project members in urging Congress to provide the Census Bureau at least $1.6765 billion in the final FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill and to strike Section 605, a provision in the House bill that would undermine quality and availability of census survey data, especially for small populations and geographic areas.
Community Letter on NSF SBE Directorate in FY 2026 Appropriations (November 6)
AERA was among 59 organizations on a letter to Congress urging the National Science Foundation be funded at the highest level possible in the FY 2026 appropriations process and encouraged adoption of Senate report language directing sustained funding for the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate.
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Contribute to Federal Research and Data Policy
AERA members are encouraged to submit research- and data-informed comments on the following open opportunities.
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Proposed Updates to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)—Comments Due: December 15
Following the initial 60-day comment period (see AERA comments), the Department of Education has opened an additional 30-day period for public input on a proposed “Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement” to IPEDS. Learn more and comment.
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2027) Main Study International Questionnaire—Comments Due: January 12, 2026
The Department of Education has opened a 60-day comment period, as part of the Office of Management and Budget’s clearance process, on plans for the National Center for Education Statistics to conduct sampling, recruitment, and data collection for the TIMSS 2027 main study. Learn more and comment.
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In Memoriam
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Mark Helmsing (1982-2025)
Mark Helmsing, 43, died on October 5. He was an assistant professor at George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development. Helmsing was an active AERA member, serving in multiple roles within Division B—Curriculum Studies, the Social Studies Research SIG, and the Graduate Student Council. Read more
Daniel Moraguez (1976-2025)
Daniel Moraguez died in October. He was an assistant professor of educational leadership and administration at Florida State University. Moraguez held leadership positions in the Access, Detracking, and Tracking SIG and the Leadership for Social Justice SIG. Read more
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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.
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AERA in the News
Recent media coverage of AERA and AERA-published research |
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More Than Ever, Federal Support for Ed Research Matters
Real Clear Education, November 17
Opinion: For education researchers, real-world solutions matter most
The Hill, November 13
Social-Emotional Learning Can Boost Student Achievement. New Data Says By How Much.
EdSurge, October 30
Why Building Emotional Intelligence in Classrooms Might Be the Key to Better Grades
Parents, October 30
Research shows social-emotional learning can boost grades and test scores
NPR, October 23
How rare are colleges that enroll and graduate high shares of Pell Grant students?
Higher Ed Dive, October 22
Social-Emotional Learning Linked to Higher Math and Reading Test Scores
Education Week, October 21
What Should Research at the Ed. Dept. Look Like? The Field Weighs In
Education Week, October 21
Trump Gutted the Institute of Education Sciences. Its Renewal Is in Doubt.
Inside Higher Ed, October 21
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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.
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Executive Director: Tabbye Chavous
Editor: Tony Pals
Editorial and Production Team: Marla Koenigsknecht, John Neikirk, Audrey Poe
Contributors: Marla Koenigsknecht, Tony Pals, Christy Talbot
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