AERA Highlights - June 2026
AERA Highlights - June 2026
 
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June 2026


AERA News

2027 Presidential Program Committee Kicks Off Annual Meeting Planning in Toronto
The 2027 AERA Annual Meeting Presidential Program Committee met May 19–21 in Toronto to begin planning for the 2027 Annual Meeting, themed “Transcending Borders and Boundaries in Education Research: Toward a Beloved Global Community.” Read more

AERA Urges Members to Weigh In on Proposed Federal Grantmaking Rule That Could Reshape Research Funding
A proposed White House Office of Management and Budget regulation could significantly reshape how federal agencies award, manage, and oversee research grants—including potential changes to peer-review processes, agency authority to terminate awards, and limits on research dissemination and public access. Read more

Celebrating Edmund W. Gordon at 105
On June 13, AERA Honorary President Edmund W. Gordon celebrated his 105th birthday—a remarkable milestone for a scholar whose influence continues to shape education research, policy, and practice. Read more

AERA Announces 2026–27 Minority Dissertation Fellowships and Travel Awards
AERA has announced the recipients of the 2026-2027 Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research and Travel Awards. Read more

Virtual Research Learning Series Continues with Two Courses—Register Now
The 2026 AERA Virtual Research Learning Series continues with two upcoming courses today, June 24, and July 13. Read more


AERA has recently released Transforming the Special Education Workforce: Research and Complex Systems Perspectivesa 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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AERA Fellows Corner

A forum for AERA Fellows to share timely insights and perspectives.

Okhee Lee: Protecting the Future of STEM Education Research During Uncertain Times
At a moment when the future of federally supported education research is increasingly uncertain, I find myself reflecting on the arc of STEM education research over the past three decades—how it evolved, what it has achieved, and what now is at risk. Read more
 

AERA Nominations Sought

AERA Nominating Committee Seeks Recommendations for 2027 AERA-Wide Elected Officers—Deadline: September 9
The AERA Nominating Committee seeks recommendations of candidates for AERA-wide offices. Read more

Nominating Committee for AERA SIG Executive Committee Seeks Recommendations—Deadline: September 9
The Nominating Committee for the AERA Special Interest Groups Executive Committee seeks recommendations for well-qualified candidates to run for two positions as chair-elect and member-at-large in the 2027 election. Read more
Nominating Committee for AERA Graduate Student Council Welcomes Recommendations—Deadline: September 9
The AERA Graduate Student Council Nominating Committee welcomes recommendations of well-qualified individuals as potential candidates to run for GSC office in the 2027 election. Read more

Bringing Research Forward

In Education Week, AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous said the reduced Condition of Education release is “deeply concerning,” noting it raises “serious questions about the ongoing erosion of capacity within the federal research infrastructure.”

AERA Hiring Announcement: Chief of Staff

AERA seeks a highly skilled, strategic, and mission-driven Chief of Staff to join the Executive Director’s Office. Applications should include a resume, letter of interest, and three references.

Research Policy and Funding News

House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2027 LHHS Bill With Deep Cut to IES, Modest Increase for NIH
On June 9, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill by a 34–28 vote, setting up sharp contrasts in federal research priorities. Read more


AERA Calls

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

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


Contribute to Federal Research and Data Policy

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

NIH RFI on Limiting Simultaneous Research Grants per Principal Investigator (Comments Due August 3)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks input on a proposed policy to cap the number of research grants an individual may hold as a principal investigator or multi-principal investigator.

NIH RFI on Measuring and Rewarding Scientific Impact (Comments Due August 19)
NIH is requesting feedback on metrics to define “specific, measurable indicators and incentives that reflect the collaborative, rigorous, and mission-driven nature of modern biomedical science,” aligned with NIH’s Replication and Reproducibility Initiative and NIH's Plan to Drive Gold Standard Science.

Shaping Federal Research Policy

Recent comments and letters from AERA influencing federal research policy.

AERA Public Witness Testimony to Senate Appropriations Subcommittees (May 22)
Reflecting testimony submitted to House appropriations subcommittees earlier this year, AERA noted FY 2027 requests:

  • Senate Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bill: At least $9.9 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and $2.111 billion for the Census Bureau
  • Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill: $900 million for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES); at least $51.303 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $1.891 billion for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); and no less than the FY 2026 level for the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research (OBSSR).

Multisignatory Letters on NSF Director Confirmation Hearing and NSB Appointments (June)
AERA joined 49 organizations and 65 individuals (inclusive of AERA members) on three letters urging a confirmation hearing for the NSF director nomination and the appointment of members to the National Science Board (NSB):

Multisignatory Letter Urging Extension of Public Comment Period on OMB Proposed Rule (June 12)
AERA joined more than 320 organizations on a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget urging an extension of the current 45-day comment period deadline of July 13 to August 29 for the proposed OMB Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance.


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

IPS Rolls Out Citywide Dress Code, Vows to Keep Kids in Class Over Clothes
Hoodline, June 14

How Peer Mentors Combat Summer Melt
Inside Higher Ed, June 12

Parents urge Edmonds School Board to scrap new 7:20 a.m. elementary start time
Lynnwood Times, June 10

The Quiet Erosion of the Five-Day School Week
Education Next, June 9

Hanging the Rights of Immigrant Students on the Line
Language Magazine, June 8

Feds Issue a Slimmed-Down Data Release on U.S. Schools
Education Week, May 29

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
Contributors:  Nathan Bell, Marla Koenigsknecht, Rebecca Rock, Christy Talbot, George Wimberly