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Annual Meeting

AACTE’s Annual Meeting remains the premier gathering of educator preparation and education professionals to advance the field and profession through research, professional practice, advocacy, and collaboration. The 2026 theme, CONNECTED to Lead: Innovation and Impact,” reflects the collective strength of visionaries and innovators in creating meaningful impact on education and education preparation.

Call for Proposals Portal Opens May 27

Ready Your Submission Now

AACTE invites members of the educator preparation community to share their expertise through innovative proposals that will shape the future of our field. This is an opportunity for everyone — thought leaders, students, and community changemakers — to come together, share their unique perspectives, and contribute ideas that drive impactful change. Please review the Submission Guidelines carefully before constructing your proposal. The Call for Proposals Portal Opens May 27 – July 7.

This year’s Annual Meeting theme, “CONNECTED to Lead: Innovation and Impact,” focuses on collaboration to develop solutions and ideas that create meaningful impact on educator preparation. Content should address one of the Annual Meeting’s four strands:

Strand I: Advancing Innovation and Impact
Strand II: Education Policy and Advocacy
Strand III: Deepening the Impact of Education Research
Strand IV: Prioritizing Opportunity for All

As the leading voice on educator preparation, AACTE welcomes thought leaders from higher education and PK-12 communities to submit a proposal for consideration in the Annual Meeting 2026 program. Additionally, AACTE strongly encourages doctoral students pursuing an Ed.D. or Ph.D. to share their perspective on addressing current issues and provide innovative approaches that have yet to be considered in educator preparation. Individuals from all educational fields are invited to bring their research and practice to the Annual Meeting. AACTE recognizes and values diverse voices to foster innovation and advance the profession.

The following schedule indicates key milestones for the call cycle. Please note that the dates are subject to change.

Apr 30 – May 30 Call for Reviewers Site Open+
May 27 – Jul 7 Call for Proposals Portal Open+*
Jul 22 – 26 Reviewers Selected and Notified
Jun 30 – Jul 11 Reviewer Training (Required)
Jul 14 – Aug 1 Peer Review Period
Aug 11 – Oct 10 Selection Period
⁠Nov 7 Notification Period
Nov 18 Slotting Date/Time Announced

Annual Meeting 2026: Call for Reviewers

Apply by May 30, 2025

AACTE members are invited to apply to volunteer as an Annual Meeting proposal reviewers.

Enjoy the many benefits of reviewing proposals for AACTE’s 2026 Annual Meeting:

Give back to your professional community.
Learn about new and emerging research and practices in the field.
Enhance the quality of your teaching and research.
Acquire service to enhance your assessment for tenure and promotion.
Gain visibility for yourself and your institution and be acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation.

Reviewers should meet the following criteria:

Associated with an institution that is a current AACTE member.
Knowledge, experience, and scholarly productivity in educator preparation and related fields.
Commitment to high-quality, evidence-based research.
Read and evaluate a minimum of 10 proposals in the areas of self-identified expertise.
Be available throughout the review process occurring July 14 – August 1.

Apply Now

*All reviewers must complete a required training session by July 11.