Policy & Advocacy

ÐÜèÊÓÆµ

Policy & Advocacy
 
Turning Evidence Into Impact
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Education research is an indispensable public good—one that turns evidence into impact for every learner, in every classroom. Today, the field stands at a pivotal moment. The vitality of the field depends on a strong, inclusive scholarly community and on sustained partnerships among the federal government, universities, industry and business, and philanthropic organizations. Read about why education research matters and turns evidence into impact.

 
 
Protecting Federal Education Research and Data
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Federal education research and data are under attack. ÐÜèÊÓÆµis speaking out, alerting association members, and coordinating with the scientific community to advocate for protecting the integrity of federal research and data. ÐÜèÊÓÆµcontinues 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. 

 
 
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Latest Comments and Letters

ÐÜèÊÓÆµsubmitted comments to the Department of Education Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Reimagining and Improving Student Education, which would update regulations around student loans. ÐÜèÊÓÆµurged the Department to include all graduate degrees in education, including Ph.D. degrees in education and Ed.D. degrees, under the definition of “professional degree” linked to the “professional student” definition. (March 2, 2026)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµjoined 130 organizations on a to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. calling on the Department to immediately halt the restructuring and effective dismantlement of the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). (February 23, 2026)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµprovided comments on the draft FY 2026-2030 National Science Foundation (NSF) Strategic plan, noting the need for continued investment in basic research – including education research and the social and behavioral sciences – and to leverage STEM education research to meet the agency’s mission and priorities. (January 27, 2026)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµresponded to questions on the National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate Workforce Development Roadmap RFI, noting the need for partnerships with the education sector and collaboration with the NSF STEM Education Directorate for advancing the goals of the roadmap to develop and scale evidence-based curriculum and leverage education research findings. (January 15, 2026)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµresponded to questions in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) RFI on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise, noting the need for OSTP and the White House Office of Management and Budget to ensure federal scientific agencies have sufficient budgets, staff, and infrastructure capacity to support timely and relevant fundamental and applied research. (December 23, 2025)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµjoined 34 members and partners of the Postsecondary Data Collaborative on a noting concerns with the U.S. Department of Education’s approach to implementing the new Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). (December 15, 2025)

 

: ÐÜèÊÓÆµwas among 70 organizations that endorsed the reintroduction of the , which would establish a National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) at IES and strengthen and modernize Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS). (December 4, 2025)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµprovided 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. (October 15, 2025)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµprovided comments on the proposed updates to IPEDS that include the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement, urging the need for NCES staff to pilot indicators and provide technical assistance. (October 14, 2025)

 

ÐÜèÊÓÆµjoined the Postsecondary Data Collaborative’s on IPEDS that highlight recommendations for implementing the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement and need for NCES staff. (October 14, 2025)

 

More Comments and Letters


Latest ÐÜèÊÓÆµPolicy & Advocacy News

 

House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Science of Reading
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, February 2026

NIH Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans No Longer Classified as Clinical Trials
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, February 2026

Trump Administration Issues Final Rule on “Schedule Policy/Career” Positions in Federal Government
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, February 2026

NSF Unveils Reorganization and Updates to Merit Review Criteria
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, January 2026

FY 2026 Appropriations Packages Advance for Federal Education Research Agencies
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, January 2026

National Assessment Governing Board Reviews NAEP, NCES Activities, and IES Redesign
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, December 2025

Federal Government Shutdown Ends, Funding and Data Activities Resume
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, November 2025

ÐÜèÊÓÆµConvenes Education Research Leaders for 2025 ÐÜèÊÓÆµ Fall Policy Conference
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, October 2025

What the Government Shutdown Means for Education Research
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, October 2025

ÐÜèÊÓÆµProvides Comments on Civil Rights Data Collection for 2025–26 and 2027–28
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, September 2025

House Committee Advances FY 2026 Spending Bills with Education Research Implications
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, September 2025

Education Department Opens Comment Period for Civil Rights Data Collection After Earlier Withdrawal
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, August 2025

Executive Order Targets Federal Grantmaking, Expands Political Oversight and Termination Authority
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, August 2025

Senate Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2026 Bill Rejecting Administration’s Proposed Cuts to IES and NIH
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, August 2025

White House Directs Education Department to Collect New College Admissions Data
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, August 2025

Congress Moves Forward on FY 2026 NSF Funding Proposals with Small Cut in Senate, Larger Cut in House
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, July 2025

NIH Issues Policy on Supporting Fairness and Originality in Research Applications
ÐÜèÊÓÆµHighlights, July 2025

 

More ÐÜèÊÓÆµPolicy & Advocacy News

 
 
 
ÐÜèÊÓÆµGovernment Relations
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As the primary advocate of education research in the nation’s capital, ÐÜèÊÓÆµmonitors federal legislation, policy, and regulations affecting education research, and identifies opportunities to influence the development and protection of sound science policy. Read more

 
 
Thought Leadership from AERA
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Tabbye M. Chavous, Executive Director of AERA

Explore timely insights from ÐÜèÊÓÆµExecutive Director Tabbye Chavous on the critical role of rigorous education research in addressing pressing challenges in education—and the importance of sustained federal research investments:

 
 
Giving Educators and Policymakers the Tools to Improve Education
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ÐÜèÊÓÆµSpeaks Out on Mob Attack on Capitol

In a “Why Social Science” post for the Consortium of Social Science Associations, ÐÜèÊÓÆµExecutive Director Tabbye Chavous explains how education research informs evidence-based solutions and why funding it matters. Read more

 
 
When Researchers Have Access to Data, Students Succeed
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View full infographic on how data access helps students and schools succeed.