AERA Highlights - October 2025
AERA Highlights - October 2025
 
Print

October 2025


AERA News

2025 Brown Lecture with James Banks to Broadcast October 23—Register for the Livestream Individually or as a Watch Party
In his 2025 Brown Lecture, titled “Rethinking Brown When Diversity and Equity Are Imperiled and Democracy is Fragile,” James Banks (University of Washington) will examine the resurgence of White racism and nationalism that threatens efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, including multicultural education. Learn more and register 

Tabbye M. Chavous Named New Executive Director of the American Educational  Research Association

President-Elect Morris Calls for Committee Nominations
Professional service is vital to support the ongoing work of our association. As President-Elect, I am pleased to invite you to submit nominations—either for yourself or colleagues—to serve on AERA’s committees. Read more

Jerome Morris Voted AERA President-Elect; Key Members Elected to AERA  Council

AERA Past President David Berliner Dies
AERA Past President David Berliner passed away on September 26 at the age of 87. Read more

AERA Member Scott Marion Reappointed to the National Assessment Governing Board
On September 30, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced appointments to the National Assessment Governing Board, including the reappointment of AERA member Scott Marion, principal learning associate at the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment. Read more


Want to advertise in AERA Highlights? Learn more


Research Policy and Funding News

AERA Convenes Education Research Leaders for 2025 AERA-CURI Fall Policy Conference
At a time of significant challenges for education research, AERA convened 70 deans and associate deans at colleges of education and leaders at research institutions for the 2025 Fall Policy Conference of the AERA Consortium of University and Research Institutions, held September 28–30 at the Dr. Felice J. Levine Convening Center at AERA in Washington, D.C.  Read more

What the Government Shutdown Means for Education Research
The federal government has been in a shutdown since October 1 after Congress did not pass appropriations or a continuing resolution for FY 2026 funding. Read more

Publications News

AERA Open Launches “ReOpened” Articles to Spotlight Debates on Timely Education Issues
This month, AERA Open launched “AERA ReOpened,” a new article type designed to bring fresh debates and perspectives on previously published research in education. Read more

Incorporating Human Animal Interaction into Academic Stress Management  Programs: Effects on Typical and At-Risk College Students' Executive  Function

Bringing Research Forward

Read In an EdSurge story on the resumption of the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection, AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous emphasized that schools, researchers, and families “all rely on the CRDC to support student access and participation and to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and practices for all students. Any delay in implementation would leave schools and communities in the dark, making it harder to spot disparities and act on them.” AERA Submits Comments on Proposed Revisions to 2021-22 CRDC

Read – In a story by The 74, AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous said that recent developments at the Institute of Education Sciences were “cautiously encouraging,” but that “severe staff shortages continue to threaten data quality and research progress. We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impacts of these cuts on researchers and others who rely on federally collected and supported data.”

IES Issues Guide for Researchers Conducting Implementation Research
Read – “Social and Emotional Learning Programs Linked to Academic Gains” – AERA highlighted a new Review of Educational Research article showing that universal, school-based SEL programs improve students’ academic achievement as well as their social and emotional development.

AERA Calls

AERA Undergraduate Student Education Research Training Workshop—Deadline for Applications: October 27

AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research—Deadline for Applications: November 10
          • Watch September 25 Informational Webinar Recording

AERA Fellows Program—Deadline for Nominations: November 13

Review of Educational Research Volumes 97–99 (2027–2029)–Deadline for Applications: March 2, 2026


Shaping Federal Research Policy

Recent comments and letters from AERA influencing federal research policy.

Comments on NIH Allowable Costs for Publications (September 15)
AERA provided feedback to the National Institutes of Health on options for allowable costs to make NIH-funded research publicly available. Read more

Comments on NCES School Finance Surveys (September 16)
AERA urged the U.S. Department of Education to ensure that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has the capacity to collect and report data for the School-Level Finance Survey and the National Public Education Financial Survey. Read more

Multisociety Letter to Congress on the Executive Order on Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking (September 24)
AERA joined more than 60 scientific societies in urging Congress to conduct oversight on the Executive Order “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.” Read more

Comments on DHS Proposed Rule for a Fixed-Term on F, J, and I Visas (September 29)
AERA urged the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw a proposed rule establishing fixed-term limits of four years for visas, including those issued to international students. Read more

PostSecondary Data Collaborative Letter on IPEDS (October 14)
AERA joined the Postsecondary Data Collaborative in comments on IPEDS, recommending effective implementation of the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement and highlighting the need for sufficient NCES capacity. Read more

Comments on IPEDS Proposed Updates (October 14)
AERA provided input on proposed updates to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), including the new Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement, emphasizing the need for NCES staff to pilot indicators and provide technical assistance. Read more

Comments on Request for Information on Redesigning IES (October 15)
AERA provided comments on the U.S. Department of Education’s Request for Information on Redesigning the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), emphasizing the importance of investing in staff and infrastructure capacity and of preserving and strengthening IES programs while pursuing innovation. Read more


Contribute to Federal Research and Data Policy

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

Proposed Updates to IDEA Part B Data Collection – Comments Due: October 21
The U.S. Department of Education is proposing to remove Significant Disproportionality data from Section V of the Annual State Application under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Learn more and comment.

Senate HELP Committee Request for Information on Increasing College Cost and Value Transparency for Students and Families – Comments Due: October 24
Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is seeking input on ways to improve transparency in higher education to lower costs and help students and families make informed decisions. Learn more and comment.

OSTP Request for Information on Regulatory Reform on Artificial Intelligence – Comments Due: October 27
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is requesting input on existing laws, regulations, and policies that may hinder the use of artificial intelligence, as well as on priorities for advancing AI innovation and adoption. Learn more and comment.


In Memoriam

Neil Dorans, 73, died on September 22. He had been a Distinguished Presidential Appointee in the Center for Statistical and Psychometric Theory and Practice at ETS. Dorans was a member of AERA Division D—Measurement and Research Methodology. 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

Recent media coverage of AERA and AERA-published research

Why are Ivy League universities bringing back SAT and ACT requirements after years of test-optional policies?
The Times of India, October 16

Judge halts mass firings of federal employees — for now
K-12 Dive, October 15

Why Bilingual Hispanic Teachers Make a Big Difference for English Learners
Education Week, October 14

Some social emotional lessons improve how kids do at school, Yale study finds
The Hechinger Report, October 13

SEL improves student grades, test performance
K-12 Dive, October 10

Civil Rights Data Collection for Schools Resumes, With Changes on Gender and Discipline
EdSurge, October 6

Months After Deep Cuts, Education Researchers See Reason for Cautious Optimism
The 74, October 6

What’s So Conservative About Civics, Anyway?
Inside Higher Ed, September 23

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, John Neikirk, Tony Pals, Christy Talbot