Federal education research and data are under attack. AERA is speaking out, alerting association members, and coordinating with the scientific community to advocate for protecting the integrity of federal research and data. AERA continues to closely monitor and respond to administration efforts to dismantle the federal role in collecting, analyzing, and reporting high-quality, impartial, and nonpartisan education research and data. Follow the links on this page to learn more and get engaged.
AERA submitted comments on the revised information collection request for the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress, seeking an immediate solution to enable the restoration of CIPSEA confidentiality assurances. (June 16, 2025)
AERA submitted comments on the proposed rule from the Office of Personnel Management that would create a new Schedule Policy/Career job classification in the federal government, “Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service.” (June 6, 2025)
In a letter, AERA and other education research leaders called on Congress to protect the nation’s education data, research infrastructure, and knowledge base, by safeguarding the IES and broader Education Department staff, leadership, and mission. (March 26, 2025)
AERA and 86 others organizations and individual researchers sent a letter to Congress elevating deep concerns regarding Institute of Education Sciences research and data collection cancellations. (March 10, 2025)
The science community, including AERA, sent a letter to Congress urging the Department of Education to reverse contract cancellations at the Institute of Education Statistics. (February 13, 2025)
AERA joined a large inter-disciplinary group in a letter calling upon Senate and House leaders to protect and preserve public access to federal data. (February 11, 2025)
More Comments and Letters
AERA Provides Comments on Proposed Updates to 2026 NAEP and EDFacts AERA Highlights, June 2025
AERA Provides Comment on Proposed Schedule Policy/Career Designation, Urges Exemption of Federal Research Program Officers and Statistical Agency Staff AERA Highlights, June 2025
Congress Begins Action on FY 2026 Appropriations, AERA Weighs in With Testimony AERA Highlights, June 2025
FY 2026 Budget Request Includes Deep Cuts for Federal Research Agencies AERA Highlights, June 2025
OSTP Issues Guidance for Implementing “Gold Standard Science” Executive Order AERA Highlights, June 2025
National Institutes of Health Launches NIH Brain Development Cohorts (NBDC) Data Hub AERA Highlights, June 2025
Judge Blocks Dismantling of Education Department, Temporarily Reinstates Hundreds of Employees AERA Highlights, May 2025
NSF Continues Grant Terminations as Layoffs and Closure of Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM Division Are on Hold AERA Highlights, May 2025
Trump Administration Issues “Skinny” FY 2026 Budget Outline with Proposed Cuts for NSF, NIH AERA Highlights, May 2025
President Trump Issues Executive Order on “Gold Standard Science” AERA Highlights, May 2025
NIH Updates: Public Access Policy Implementation Deadline Moved Up, Leadership Changes for Individual Institutes AERA Highlights, May 2025
AERA Highlights Priorities for FY 2026 Funding for Education Research and Statistics AERA Highlights, April 2025
National Science Foundation Issues Statement on Priorities, Cancels Chunk of Ongoing Grants AERA Highlights, April 2025
AERA Partnering with 11 Other Education Research Associations Calls on Congress to Save Education Research and Data AERA Highlights, March 2025
AERA Urges Action on Use of NCES Restricted-Use Data Licenses AERA Highlights, March 2025
Department of Education Initiates Reduction in Force with Significant Impact on IES Staffing AERA Highlights, March 2025
FY 2025 Wraps Up with Full-Year Continuing Resolution with Uncertainty for Research and Statistics Support AERA Highlights, March 2025
NCES Commissioner Peggy Carr Placed on Administrative Leave AERA Highlights, February 2025
Broad Coalition Releases Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST) AERA Highlights, February 2025
Biden Administration Issues Reports on Reducing Harassment in Federally Funded Research, Federal Evidence Agenda on Disability, Prior to Leaving Office AERA Highlights, January 2025
NICHD Releases 2025 Strategic Plan AERA Highlights, January 2025
119th Congress and Trump Administration Leadership Announced AERA Highlights, January 2025
PECASE Awardees Announced; Includes Seven AERA Members AERA Highlights, January 2025
More AERA Policy & Advocacy News
As the primary advocate of education research in the nation’s capital, AERA monitors federal legislation, policy, and regulations affecting education research, and identifies opportunities to influence the development and protection of sound science policy. Read more
In a March 25 letter, AERA and other education research leaders call on Congress to protect the nation’s education data, research infrastructure, and knowledge base, by safeguarding the IES and broader Education Department staff, leadership, and mission.
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