The American Educational Research Association has announced the 2026 award winners, including Vivian Gadsden and James L. Moore III for their contributions to education research and policy implementation. The awards recognize excellence in various areas of education research.
Sylvia Hurtado has been voted president-elect of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), joining as president-elect in 2026-2027. Her presidency will focus on equity for historically marginalized groups and institutional transformation.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) has selected 34 outstanding scholars as the 2026 class of AERA Fellows. These researchers have made significant contributions to education research, advancing knowledge and promoting its application to improve education.
A new study finds that short-term noncredit training at community colleges leads to moderate earnings increases, averaging $2,000 per year, and a greater likelihood of employment. Gains vary by field, duration, and gender, with some fields like transportation and engineering technology showing stronger returns.
A large-scale analysis of existing research finds that school-provided social and emotional learning programs improve students' academic achievement in addition to their social and emotional development. The study also highlights the importance of program duration and universal SEL instruction in schools.
A new study by Brown University and Rice University found that state school finance reforms did not reduce racial and ethnic funding inequities and in some cases increased them. The reforms narrowed funding gaps by income but failed to address disparities by race and ethnicity.
A new study finds that only 91 four-year colleges in the US effectively serve low-income students, leaving many states without institutions meeting the criteria. States like California and Florida have strong access to these 'Equity Engines,' while others struggle to support low-income student success.
Eleven education research organizations commend the US Department of Education's action to finalize the Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2025-26 school year. The collection gathers data on educational access and equity, crucial for understanding student experiences and educational opportunities across key demographics.
Eleven leading education research organizations call on the US Department of Education to finalize the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) for the 2025-26 school year, citing a critically short timeline. The groups warn that final approval could push past September, creating logistical challenges for school districts.
Dr. James A. Banks will present the 2025 Brown Lecture on October 23, sharing his work on improving race and ethnic relations in education. His contributions to multicultural education research have been widely recognized by AERA.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) has announced the winners of the 2025 Palmer O. Johnson Memorial Award for their article on detecting and mitigating algorithmic bias in college student-success prediction. The authors' work highlights the need for equity in data-driven decision-making in higher education.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) has announced the winners of its 2025 awards for excellence in education research. The recipients include Robert Pianta, Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Kevin Mahnken, and others who have made significant contributions to education research.
Tabbye M. Chavous, a nationally recognized scholar and leader, will oversee AERA's work in promoting evidence-based policies and practices. Her research focuses on educational equity, social identity development, and achievement motivation among minoritized students.
The American Educational Research Association has selected 29 scholars as 2025 AERA Fellows, honoring their excellence in education research. The new cohort joins the previous 762 AERA Fellows, bringing the total to 791.
Jerome E. Morris has been voted president-elect of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), succeeding Maisha T. Winn. Morris will leverage his research on race, social class, and educational opportunity to inform his presidency.
New research finds that student absences are linked to lower teacher job satisfaction, with no link to other aspects of school. The study suggests addressing absenteeism is critical for improving student outcomes and bolstering the teacher workforce.
A new study by RAND finds significant positive spillover effects of new English learner students in new destination states on existing students' test scores, particularly in reading. The study found benefits mainly concentrated among former or current English learners, with no adverse effects on non-English learners.
New research reveals a strong connection between childhood opportunities and long-term academic success, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address opportunity gaps. The study found that increasing access to various educational and social experiences can significantly boost earnings as a young adult.
Predictive algorithms commonly used by colleges underestimate the likely success of Black and Hispanic students, while overestimating the potential success of White and Asian students. The study highlights the need to address inherent biases in predictive analytics in education settings.
A new study found that early elementary school teachers report feeling less close to chronically absent students and viewing them less positively. Teachers in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade also perceive these students as having worse interpersonal skills and academic difficulties, despite not causing trouble in the classr...
The study found that earning a college degree still yields strong economic returns, with median rates of return ranging from 8% to 13%. The analysis considered various factors, including college majors and demographics. The findings suggest that selecting high-return majors is a sound financial decision.
A new study found that Black male elementary school students are less likely to be identified for special education services when matched with Black teachers. This relationship is strongest among students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The researchers suggest that access to Black teachers may lead to more nuanced assessme...
A new meta-analysis of 25 studies found no significant relationship between digital leisure reading and improvement in reading comprehension among students. Print reading habits are still linked to better comprehension, with a six-to-eight times higher ability for students who read in print compared to digital devices.
Underrepresented racial minorities and first-generation college students show significant improvement in STEM grades with diverse classroom representation. The study found a 27% drop in grade disparity between underrepresented and non-underrepresented students, and a 56% reduction for first-generation students.
Participating in policy debate programs is associated with improvements in English language arts achievement and increases in high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment. The study found that debate improves critical thinking skills and is particularly beneficial for lowest-achieving students.
A new study by NaYoung Hwang and Cory Koedel found that third-grade retention can increase reading and math scores of struggling students, with positive effects lasting into middle school. The study, published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, also found no evidence that retention caused disciplinary or attendance problems.
A new study by the American Educational Research Association found that contextualizing high school performance can help identify students from diverse backgrounds with strong academic achievement who are likely to succeed in college. The research suggests that this approach is a legally permissible way for institutions to promote equi...
A new study by Jilli Jung and Maithreyi Gopalan found that state-mandated civics tests do not improve youth voter turnout in the short term. The researchers suggest a more holistic approach to civic education, incorporating practical activities such as visiting legislators or learning how to register.
A new study published in Educational Researcher found that the top 5% of teachers who refer students to principals' offices for disciplinary action effectively double the racial gaps in such referrals. The study analyzed data from over 2,900 teachers and 79,000 students across 101 schools in a large urban district in California.
Researchers found that growth data nudges parents towards less affluent and less white schools, but only if those schools are already similar in terms of demographics. This suggests that providing growth data may not lead to the desired outcome of diversifying schools.
A study by American Educational Research Association found that US teachers were 40% more likely to report anxiety symptoms than healthcare workers. Female teachers were also more likely to experience feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety.
A new study found that US schools and school districts have shared an estimated 4.9 million Facebook posts with identifiable images of students, posing a risk to student privacy. The research highlights the need for practical steps to mitigate this risk, including making school pages private and seeking parent consent.
New research published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis suggests that earlier elementary school start times predict less sleep for students but have little to no effect on their educational outcomes. The findings provide evidence that early start times are less detrimental to elementary school students than to students in ...
A new study by Kenneth A. Shores and Matthew P. Steinberg estimates that $700 billion will be needed to offset COVID-induced learning loss in US public schools, far more than the $190 billion allocated through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
Dr. John B. Diamond will present the 2022 Brown Lecture in Education Research, focusing on the relationship between social inequality and educational opportunity. The lecture aims to address equity and equality in education by identifying and removing systematic barriers.
A recent study published by the American Educational Research Association found a significant 'thriving gap' between students who attended school remotely during the pandemic and those who attended in person. The study revealed that remote students suffered socially, emotionally, and academically, with lower ratings on social well-bein...
A study found that teacher incentive pay programs in North Carolina expanded the test score gap between Black and White students, with gains smaller for Black students. The programs aimed to increase teaching effectiveness in high-need schools but had little impact on average student achievement overall.
This study found that Black, non-Hispanic students in high schools without AP or IB courses cannot be explained by resource or school factors. The author discovered a significant relationship between the proportion of Black, non-Hispanic students enrolled in a school and whether the district puts college-prep resources in that school.
A new study estimates that FAFSA verification costs public colleges and universities nearly $500 million annually, with community colleges spending 22% of their financial aid office budget on verification. The burden falls disproportionately on these institutions, which enroll nearly half of all undergraduates.
A study found that test-optional admissions policies at selective private institutions led to a 3-4% increase in Pell Grant recipients, a 10-12% increase in first-time Black, Latinx, and Native students, and a 6-8% increase in women enrollment. However, these gains were relatively small compared to the overall student body.
A recent study found that students attending high-surveillance schools are more likely to be subjected to in-school suspension, have lower math achievement, and are less likely to attend college. Additionally, black students are four times more likely to attend a high-surveillance school.
Research suggests that gifted programs have a small positive impact on average student achievement in reading and math. However, Black and low-income students do not experience the same academic gains as their peers, casting doubt on the effectiveness of these programs in addressing inequities.
Teachers reported a significant decline in student preparedness for the next grade level, with only 50% of students meeting skills needed after schools reopened. Teachers also spent more time reviewing material and reported larger achievement gaps in reading and math, but fewer provided additional intervention.
Kindergarten children with externalizing problem behaviors are at high risk of being frequently bullied later in 3rd-5th grades. Academic achievement and behavioral self-regulation may slightly lower this risk, particularly for girls.
Research shows that student-college match has become an increasingly important predictor of student success in recent years. Overmatched students' graduation rates have improved substantially over time, while undermatched students' rates have remained stable.
Late school start times are linked to higher grade point averages and higher proportions of students getting the recommended number of hours of sleep. Students in districts with delayed start times reported a small but significant increase in GPAs, ranging from 0.10 to 0.17 GPA points.
A new study found that weighted funding formulas in California led to an increase in charter school enrollments of low-income students. However, the study also suggests that some charter schools may be 'cream skimming' high-achieving students, and that policymakers need to carefully design weighted funded systems to address this issue.
The American Educational Research Association's 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting will showcase innovative scholarship in education research. The meeting will feature high-quality and timely education research from over 2,200 sessions, including keynote speakers.
A comprehensive meta-analysis found that digital picture books outperform print counterparts when featuring story-related enhancements, but hinder comprehension when lacking such features. The study highlights the need for high-quality digital books to support all children's learning.
The American Educational Research Association's (AERA) annual meeting will showcase innovative scholarship in education research. Attendees can engage with leading thinkers, explore high-quality education research, and connect with policymakers and practitioners.