August 2024
At its June meeting, AERA Council approved several updates to association policies affecting job postings, sponsored Annual Meeting registrations, Annual Meeting registration fees, as well as the continuation of key AERA programs.
Revised Policy on Job Listings for All Association Listservs
Council unanimously approved a change to the existing policy concerning job postings on all association listservs. Going forward, all job announcements must be first posted on the AERA Job Board to ensure broad-based advertisement to all job seekers and a non-dues revenue stream important to scientific and scholarly associations like AERA.
After postings on the Job Board, these announcements can then be shared on division, special interest group, and other association listservs, either through direct links or by redistributing the content. In taking this action, Council emphasized that posting jobs on the Job Board allows for equitable and open access to all those coming to the AERA website, not just those who are members of a particular unit. It also provides employers with broader dissemination of listings since they will be viewable by anyone interested in jobs and employment opportunities.
Sponsored Registrations for 2025 Annual Meeting
Based on an examination of data from the 2022 to 2024 Annual Meetings, AERA Council passed a unanimous resolution to continue allowing divisions and SIGs to sponsor registration fees for an additional three years spanning the 2025–2027 Annual Meetings. These sponsored registrations will be available to graduate students and early career scholars within seven years of completing their doctoral degrees.
Specific guidelines were established for the program:
To streamline the process, the deadline for submitting sponsored registration information to AERA is set for December 10. This earlier timeline is designed to provide recipients with ample planning time and to reduce refund requests. The AERA governance team will contact divisions and SIGs in early fall with information about how to request sponsored registrations.
Continuation of Key AERA Programs
AERA Council also reviewed and unanimously approved the extension of three major initiatives for two years, through 2025 and 2026: the Education Research Service Projects (ERSP) Program, the Education Research Conferences Program, and the Congressional Fellowship Program.
ERSP grants support AERA members engaged in providing pro bono service to educational entities; the Education Research Conferences Program provides small grants to allow members to convene conferences that hold promise of breaking new ground or advancing education research in new ways; and the Congressional Fellowship Program places education researchers to serve a one-year stint as staff to a member of Congress or a Congressional committee, exposing AERA members to the policymaking world as well as making evident the value of research expertise to staff and members on Capitol Hill.
Council was enthusiastic about all three programs, but resource constraints led to the decision to currently continue funding for just two year as all three programs are fully funded by AERA. These programs support AERA’s mission to advance education research, to connect research to public policy, and to serve the public good.
Changes to How Council Reviews Annual Meeting and Membership Fees
Council approved returning to the policy and pattern of reviewing Annual Meeting registration and membership fees on alternating years. During the COVID pandemic, Council opted to keep Annual Meeting and membership rates level, and then approved increases for 2024. The current decision to return to examining registration fees and membership dues on alternating years, whether or not there is a decision to make a change, led Council to approve an increase in meeting fees for the 2025 Annual Meeting. The rate increase will allow the association to address rapidly rising costs for technology, audiovisual, on-site labor, security, and food and beverage, which have outpaced inflation since the start of the pandemic. The new registration fees will be available on the AERA 2025 Annual Meeting website when registration opens.
Additionally, the Council approved discounted registration rates for pre-college students participating in invited or accepted sessions or only attending the Annual Meeting. A two-tiered rate was approved for elementary school students and for middle/high school students. Having both a reduced fee structure for all pre-college youth and an identifiable fee structure will allow AERA to better track trends in student participation over time and get a more complete picture of student participation at any given meeting. It will also make transparent the reduced fee structure and fees associated with pre-college student and chaperone registration.
Restoration of Awards Luncheon and Support for Graduate Students
As reported in the July issue of AERA Highlights, in June Council approved the return of the Awards Ceremony Luncheon at the 2025 Annual Meeting, and a coordinated fundraising campaign for the Graduate Student Assistance Fund.
“Council’s actions underscore the association’s commitment to supporting its members, advancing education research, and ensuring the success of its events and initiatives,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine. “By refining its policies, continuing key initiatives, and underscoring our commitment to the next generations, AERA is poised to continue providing valuable and accessible resources, furthering the professional growth of its members, and maintaining its leadership in advancing the field.”
(Left to Right) Detra DeVerne Johnson, Division A Vice President; Jessica Nina Lester, Division D Vice President; Adrienne D. Dixson, Member-at-Large; Jon Hale, Division F Vice President; Linette Ross, Division I Vice President; Sheneka Williams, Division L Vice President; Cleveland Hayes, Division G Vice President; Janelle Scott, President; Tyrone Howard, Past President; Felice J. Levine, Executive Director; Honey Katz Walrond, Graduate Student Council Chair; Daniel Solórzano, Member-at-Large; Norma Guzmán, SIG Executive Committee Chair; Helenrose Fives, Division C Vice President; Bryan Brayboy, Member-at-Large; Anne-Marie Nunez, Member-at-Large; Theodorea Regina Berry, Division B Vice President
(Not Pictured) Lisa De La Rue, Division E Vice President; Maisha Winn, President-Elect; Dorinda Carter Andrews, Member-at-Large; Cecilia Rios-Aguilar, Member-at-Large; Jenny Lee, Division J Vice President; Virginia W. Snodgrass Rangel, Division H Vice President; Mariana Souto-Manning, Division K Vice President