AERA Nominations Released for President-Elect, At-Large Council Members, and Other Key Offices The AERA 2026 election will open on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with voting to be conducted by electronic ballot. Read more
AERA Fellow Alfredo Artiles Inaugurated as President of National Academy of Education AERA Fellow Alfredo Artiles began a four-year term as president of the National Academy of Education on November 8. Read more
AERA-NSF Dissertation Grantees Present at Fall Research Conference From November 20-22, the AERA Grants Program, funded by the National Science Foundation, held its annual Fall Research Conference at the Dr. Felice J. Levine Convening Center at AERA in Washington, D.C. Read more
Registration for 2026 AERA Annual Meeting Opens this Month—Countdown to Los Angeles Underway Registration for the 2026 AERA Annual Meeting, to be held April 8–12 in Los Angeles, will open later this month. Read more
Major Sessions and Lectures to Inspire 2026 Annual Meeting Attendees Major sessions and lectures at the 2026 Annual Meeting will spotlight timely and consequential topics for education researchers. Read more
Discover AERA’s Professional Development Lineup for 2026 Annual Meeting The 2026 AERA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles will feature a robust lineup of 17 professional development and training courses spanning a wide range of topics in education research. Read more
National Assessment Governing Board Reviews NAEP, NCES Activities, and IES Redesign The National Assessment Governing Board, the independent, nonpartisan board responsible for setting policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress and communicating its results, held its most recent quarterly board meeting on November 20 and 21. Read more
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
2026 Brown Lecture Nominations—Deadline: February 17, 2026
Review of Educational Research Volumes 97–99 (2027–2029)–Deadline for Applications: March 2, 2026
Call for Editors: Educational Researcher Volumes 56–58 (2027–2029)–Applications due March 2, 2026
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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Recent comments and letters from AERA influencing federal research policy.
Friends of IES Letter on Finalizing FY 2026 Appropriations (November 24) AERA, leading 40 organizations as part of the Friends of IES, urged House and Senate Appropriations leadership to fund the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the highest level possible in final FY 2026 appropriations legislation. The letter also requested language in the final conference report directing IES to restart peer review panels for FY 2025 grant competitions.
Community Letter on NSF EDU Directorate in FY 2026 Appropriations (December 1) AERA joined 44 other organizations in urging House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to fund the National Science Foundation (NSF) at the highest level possible in FY 2026 appropriations, with sustained funding for the NSF STEM Education Directorate.
Endorsement of NEED Act Introduction (December 4) AERA joined 69 other organizations in endorsing the reintroduction of the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act, which would establish a National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) at IES and strengthen and modernize Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS).
AERA members are encouraged to submit research- and data-informed comments on the following open opportunities.
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Request for Information on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise – Comments Due: December 26 OSTP seeks input on priorities for strengthening the U.S. science and technology ecosystem—both to expand scientific knowledge and to improve pathways that transition discoveries into the marketplace. Learn more and comment.
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2027) Main Study International Questionnaire – Comments Due: January 12 The Department of Education is holding 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.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Request for Information on Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate Workforce Development Roadmap – Comments Due: January 15 NSF is seeking input on the vision, strategic goals, and investments for the NSF TIP Directorate Roadmap for Workforce Development for critical and emerging technologies. Read the directed questions and comment.
Visit the Beyond AERA webpage for professional advancement opportunities from other organizations, including calls for papers and submissions, meetings and conferences, and other activities.
How Trump 2.0 upended education research and statistics in one year The Hechinger Report, December 1
Student absences spiked in California, test scores fell in Florida amid surge in US immigration enforcement The Journalist's Resource, November 25
How Short-Term Community College Courses Help Boost Your Salary Money, November 25
Noncredit training at community colleges linked to earnings gains University Business, November 20
Community Colleges FAQ: Everything You Need to Know U.S. News & World Report, November 20
Noncredit Community College Programs Yield Earnings Gains, but Outcomes Vary Inside Higher Ed, November 20
Study: Modest earnings gains from short-term training Community College Daily, November 18
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: Nathan Bell, Marla Koenigsknecht, Rebecca Rock, Christy Talbot, George Wimberly