ÐÜèÊÓÆµPresident Maisha Winn on What to Expect at ÐÜèÊÓÆµ2026 Dear Colleagues, it is my sincere hope that you will join our research community from April 8 to 12 in Los Angeles, California, where we will engage with the theme, “Unforgetting Histories. Imagining Futures: Constructing a New Vision for Education Research.” Read more
AERA–NSF Grants Program Announces New Award Recipients The AERA–NSF Grants Program has announced a new cohort of Dissertation and Research Grant recipients, supporting studies that leverage large-scale federal, district, and State Longitudinal Data System data to advance education research. Read more
First-of-Its-Kind Volume Reframes the Special Education Workforce Crisis AERA’s newest volume, Transforming the Special Education Workforce: Research and Complex Systems Perspectives, is the first work to unify special education workforce recruitment, preparation, retention, and leadership within a whole-systems thinking framework. Read more
ÐÜèÊÓÆµand The 74 Explore AI in Assessment with Leading Scholars On March 18, ÐÜèÊÓÆµand The 74 partnered to host a free public webinar on artificial intelligence in student assessment. Read more
A Message from ÐÜèÊÓÆµExecutive Director Tabbye Chavous – Ensuring a Safe and Welcoming Annual Meeting Dear ÐÜèÊÓÆµMembers and Friends, we are excited to welcome scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and others from around the world to the 2026 ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting, April 8–12, in Los Angeles. Read more
Research and Science Policy Forum at ÐÜèÊÓÆµ2026 to Highlight Key Issues and Agencies The Research and Science Policy Forum at the ÐÜèÊÓÆµ2026 Annual Meeting will convene leading voices from federal research agencies, academia, and the policy community to examine pressing issues at the intersection of education research and science policy. Read more
Connect with Journal Editors at the Annual Meeting At the 2026 ÐÜèÊÓÆµAnnual Meeting, attendees can join Meet the Editors sessions (formerly known as Journal Talks) to connect with editors from ÐÜèÊÓÆµjournals and other publishers. Read more
Ombuds Program Offers Confidential Support for ÐÜèÊÓÆµ2026 Attendees ÐÜèÊÓÆµwill offer its Ombuds Program as part of the 2026 Annual Meeting, supporting a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants. Read more
Visit the ÐÜèÊÓÆµBooth in Los Angeles! Share your story at the ÐÜèÊÓÆµMember Voices video station or refresh your look at the Headshot Lounge—both available during exhibit hours.
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Reimagining IES Report Offers Recommendations for “Relevance and Renewal” In February, the Department of Education released Reimagining the Institute of Education Sciences: A Strategy for Relevance and Renewal. Read more
NSF Updates: Reorganization of Directorates, NSB Meeting, Director Nomination In February, the National Science Foundation directorates—including the STEM Education Directorate—shared updates on their reorganizations, aligned with NSF’s broader agency-wide restructuring. Read more
Call for Proposals: Review of Research in Education Volume 51 (2027) on Reviews of Racialization Processes and Racism–Proposals due April 1
Call for Abstracts: ÐÜèÊÓÆµOpen Special Topic on Reframing School Attendance: Moving Quickly Toward Positive, Strengths-Based Approaches–Abstracts due April 1
Call for Papers: ÐÜèÊÓÆµOpen Special Topic on Educational Data Science: Volume II–Papers due November 1
Watch: , an AERA-The 74 public webinar featuring prominent education researchers in conversation with a veteran education reporter.
ÐÜèÊÓÆµmembers are encouraged to submit research- and data-informed comments on the following open opportunities.
– Comments Due: March 27, 5:00 pm ET The National Assessment Governing Board is seeking public comment as it begins a preliminary review of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Civics Assessment framework. Input is requested on whether the framework should be updated, the rationale for any revisions, and what updates should include. Submit comments to nagb@ed.gov with the subject line “NAEP Civics Framework.”
– Comments Due: March 30 The National Center for Education Statistics has proposed a new data collection to estimate spending on special education services for students with disabilities, including overall expenditures and by disability category across states, districts, and schools.
– Comments Due: March 30 The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing updates to Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications to align with current executive branch guidance, including Department of Justice and Executive Order 14173, . .
Recent comments and letters from ÐÜèÊÓÆµinfluencing federal research policy.
ÐÜèÊÓÆµComments on Department of Education NPRM on Student Loans (March 2) In response to proposed regulatory updates, ÐÜèÊÓÆµurged the Department to include all graduate education degrees—including Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs—within the definition of “professional degree” tied to “professional student” status.
(March 2) ÐÜèÊÓÆµjoined the American Statistical Association and 26 organizations in urging House and Senate appropriators to include FY 2027 language exempting federal statistical agency staff from Schedule Policy/Career classification. ÐÜèÊÓÆµhad previously raised this concern in comments on a draft rule proposed by the Office of Personnel Management in June 2025.
(February 23) ÐÜèÊÓÆµjoined 130 organizations in calling on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to halt the restructuring and effective dismantling of the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families.
ÐÜèÊÓÆµhas also joined several coalition efforts to advance robust funding for federal research and statistical agencies in FY 2027:
ÐÜèÊÓÆµmembers who have recently passed away
♦Aimée Dorr (1942 – 2026) Aimée Dorr, 83, died on January 25. She was Provost of the University of California and dean of the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She was an ÐÜèÊÓÆµFellow.
Christopher Knapper (1940 – 2026) Christopher Knapper, 85, died on March 4. He was founding director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at Queen’s University.
♦ÐÜèÊÓÆµFellow
Visit the Beyond AERA webpage for professional advancement opportunities from other organizations, including calls for papers and submissions, meetings and conferences, and other activities.
Education Week, March 23
Women in Academia Report, March 18
WXXI News, March 11
The St. Louis American, March 8
Twin Cities Pioneer Press, March 8
Charlottesville Tomorrow, March 6
CT Mirror, March 5
Inside Higher Ed, March 5
The EDU Ledger, March 3
More ÐÜèÊÓÆµin the News
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights is published by the ÐÜèÊÓÆµ monthly to inform members and others interested in education research about the latest news and developments in ÐÜèÊÓÆµand in the field.
Executive Director: Tabbye Chavous Editor: Tony Pals Editorial and Production Team: Marla Koenigsknecht, John Neikirk, Audrey Poe Contributors: Marla Koenigsknecht, Audrey Poe, Rebecca Rock, Christy Talbot, George Wimberly