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.
Federal education research and data are under attack. 91涩漫 is speaking out, alerting association members, and coordinating with the scientific community to advocate for protecting the integrity of federal research and data. 91涩漫 continues 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.
91涩漫 joined 28 scholarly and professional societies representing more than 165,000 individual members and more than 170 colleges and universities, on a urging the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to withdraw proposed changes to the System for Award Management (SAM) certification requirements for applicants and recipients of federal financial assistance. (March 30, 2026)
91涩漫 joined the American Statistical Association and 26 organizations on a urging House and Senate appropriators to include FY 2027 language exempting federal statistical agency staff from Schedule Policy/Career classification. 91涩漫 had previously raised this concern in comments on a draft rule proposed by the Office of Personnel Management in June 2025. (March 2, 2026)
91涩漫 submitted comments to the Department of Education Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Reimagining and Improving Student Education, which would update regulations around student loans. 91涩漫 urged 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)
91涩漫 joined 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)
91涩漫 provided 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)
91涩漫 responded 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)
More Comments and Letters
Reimagining IES Report Offers Recommendations for “Relevance and Renewal” 91涩漫 Highlights, March 2026
NSF Updates: Reorganization of Directorates, NSB Meeting, Director Nomination 91涩漫 Highlights, March 2026
House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Science of Reading 91涩漫 Highlights, February 2026
NIH Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans No Longer Classified as Clinical Trials 91涩漫 Highlights, February 2026
Trump Administration Issues Final Rule on “Schedule Policy/Career” Positions in Federal Government 91涩漫 Highlights, February 2026
NSF Unveils Reorganization and Updates to Merit Review Criteria 91涩漫 Highlights, January 2026
FY 2026 Appropriations Packages Advance for Federal Education Research Agencies 91涩漫 Highlights, January 2026
National Assessment Governing Board Reviews NAEP, NCES Activities, and IES Redesign 91涩漫 Highlights, December 2025
Federal Government Shutdown Ends, Funding and Data Activities Resume 91涩漫 Highlights, November 2025
91涩漫 Convenes Education Research Leaders for 2025 91涩漫 Fall Policy Conference 91涩漫 Highlights, October 2025
What the Government Shutdown Means for Education Research 91涩漫 Highlights, October 2025
91涩漫 Provides Comments on Civil Rights Data Collection for 2025–26 and 2027–28 91涩漫 Highlights, September 2025
House Committee Advances FY 2026 Spending Bills with Education Research Implications 91涩漫 Highlights, September 2025
More 91涩漫 Policy & Advocacy News
As the primary advocate of education research in the nation’s capital, 91涩漫 monitors federal legislation, policy, and regulations affecting education research, and identifies opportunities to influence the development and protection of sound science policy. Read more
Explore timely insights from 91涩漫 Executive 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:
In a “Why Social Science” post for the Consortium of Social Science Associations, 91涩漫 Executive Director Tabbye Chavous explains how education research informs evidence-based solutions and why funding it matters. Read more
View full infographic on how data access helps students and schools succeed.