May 2026

AERA News

AERA Announces Summer 2026 Virtual Research Learning Series
AERA will launch the 2026 Virtual Research Learning Series on June 10. Read more

Information for Members About 2026 Division and SIG Affiliations
Following the transition to AERA's new membership system last fall, some members who previously held division and special interest group affiliations were not carried forward during the 2026 renewal process. AERA has identified affected members and will begin personalized outreach in the coming weeks. Read more

AERA Names Angelika Ruehr as Director of Membership, Outreach, and Engagement
AERA has appointed Angelika Ruehr as its new director of membership, outreach, and engagement, effective May 4. Read more

2026 Annual Meeting Authors Can Upload Papers and Presentations Through June 30
Although the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting has concluded, accepted authors still have time to upload or update their work in the AERA Online Paper Repository and AERA i-Presentation Gallery. Read more

Watch: Annual Meeting Major Sessions

Nine videos of prominent sessions from the 2026 Annual Meeting are now available for open-access viewing.

• 2026 AERA Annual Meeting Opening Plenary: Holding Fast to Histories, Holding Fast to Dreams
• 2026 Presidential Address by Maisha T. Winn
  • Read the Presidential Address, "The Future Is Here: Historical Signals in Education Research," in Education Researcher
• 2026 AERA Distinguished Lecture by Bryan Brayboy
• 2026 Wallace Foundation Distinguished Lecture by Bianca J. Baldridge
• 2026 Awards Ceremony Luncheon
• 2025 Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award Lecture by Robert C. Pianta
• 2025 Distinguished Public Service Award Lecture by Joan Ferrini-Mundy
• 2025 Early Career Award Lecture by Raquel Muñiz
• 2026 Closing Ceremony and Transition

AERA has recently released Transforming the Special Education Workforce: Research and Complex Systems Perspectives, a first-of-its-kind volume that offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of the national crisis in special education staffing. Visit our Online Store to purchase your copy now!

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Watch: AERA 2026 Imagining Features Podcast Series

From the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting, teen podcaster Obasi Winn sits down with six prominent scholars to explore big ideas in education research—and what they mean for young people and the futures they're shaping.

• Series Introduction
• Maisha T. Winn
• Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
• Keisha Green
• Bryan Brayboy
• Bianca J. Baldridge
• Patrick Camangian

AERA Fellows Corner

Learn about the newest class of extraordinary AERA Fellows through a series of short videos celebrating their scholarship, leadership, and impact on education research. Watch the 2026 Fellows videos and explore the full cohort.

Research Policy and Funding News

Nation’s Report Card to Add New State-Level Assessments Under Expanded Schedule
On May 15, the National Assessment Governing Board approved a new testing schedule for the National Assessment of Educational Progress that will expand the availability of state-level results in key subjects and grade levels. Read more

House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2027 CJS Bill Affecting NSF
The House Appropriations Committee advanced the FY 2027 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill on a 32–28 vote on May 13 following a committee consideration of the measure. Read more

AERA Calls

2027 AERA Annual Meeting Call for Volunteer Reviewers—Deadline: May 30

Call for Papers: AERA Open Special Topic on Educational Data Science: Volume II—Papers due November 1

Shaping Federal Research Policy

Recent comments and letters from AERA influencing federal research policy.

AERA Public Witness Testimony to House Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee on FY 2027 (May 8)
In public witness testimony, AERA called for FY 2027 appropriations of at least $9.9 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and $2.111 billion for the Census Bureau. AERA also urged the subcommittee to reject the proposed elimination of the NSF Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate included in the FY 2027 budget request.

Open Letter to Congress on National Science Board (May 11)
AERA joined as an endorsing organization alongside thousands of individual members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and other scientists in urging Congress to reinstate terminated National Science Board members and fill vacant seats.

Knowledge Alliance Letter Urging Obligation of FY 2025 Appropriated Funds at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) (May 18)
AERA joined 97 organizations in a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought calling for the timely apportionment and obligation of congressionally mandated FY 2025 funds for IES. According to an analysis by the Knowledge Alliance, $289 million in FY 2025 IES funding would lapse if not obligated by September 30.

Letter to Appropriations Leaders on Supporting FY 2027 Funding for the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill (May 22)
AERA joined hundreds of organizations in a multi-coalition letter requesting the highest possible allocation for the Labor–HHS–Education appropriations bill for FY 2027.

In Memoriam

AERA members who have recently passed away

^♦ William Cashin (1931–2026)
William Cashin, 95, died on May 9. Before retiring, he was the director for the Center for Faculty Development and Education at Kansas State University. He was an AERA Fellow. Read more

^♦  Allan Collins (1937–2026)
Allan Collins, 88, died on April 20. He was professor emeritus at Northwestern University’s Institute for Learning Sciences. He was an AERA Fellow. Read more

^♦AERA Fellow

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

‘Summer slide’ causing learning loss among students
KCBD, May 27

The Silencing of a Generation of Academics
The EDU Ledger, May 26

New Study Reveals Ethnic Studies Improves Academic Outcomes for Students
Black Enterprise, May 26

Pressure mounts for Ed Dept to release research funds
K-12 Dive, May 22

This Simple Procedural Change Can Improve Outcomes for English Learners
Education Week, May 13

TVCC highlights its Onward at The Valley program, supporting foster care students
Tyler Morning Telegraph, May 6

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, Rebecca Rock, Christy Talbot, George Wimberly