More shots education research and the folks who create it

I’ve been writing a lot about the poor quality of education research, so it’s worth pointing out that the largest organization for education researchers is the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The operation of this organization may provide insight into why education research is in so much trouble.

For years, AERA has been collecting a growing group of critics who charge the organization’s research focus has become more political and less objective.

The AERA itself just tossed gasoline on this fire by taking a highly political stand on the recently passed illegal immigration legislation in Arizona.

In reaction to that incendiary action, Peter Schmidt at The Chronicle of Higher Education hits the AERA right between what he clearly believes is the organization’s not-rigorously-researched eyes.

Schmidt’s political comments aside, his article provides insight into what may be an important part of the reason why education research lacks rigor. After all, if you are more focused on pushing agendas, objectivity usually goes out the window.