ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights - March 2026

ÐÜèÊÓÆµ

ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights - March 2026
 
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March 2026


AERA News

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

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

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


At the 2026 Annual Meeting

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

Tabbye M. Chavous, Executive Director of AERA

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

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

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

Presidential Sessions to Engage Attendees on Pressing Topics in Education  Research

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.

Want to advertise in ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights? Learn more


Research Policy and Funding News

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 RenewalRead 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


ÐÜèÊÓÆµCalls

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


Bringing Research Forward

Watch: , an AERA-The 74 public webinar featuring prominent education researchers in conversation with a veteran education reporter.


Contribute to Federal Research and Data Policy

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, . .


Shaping Federal Research Policy

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:


In Memoriam

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


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.


ÐÜèÊÓÆµin the News

Recent media coverage of ÐÜèÊÓÆµand AERA-published research


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