WestEd to Showcase Research on AI, Mathematics, and More at AERA Conference 

March 24, 2026

More than 70 WestEd staff will lead, present, chair, or serve as panelists for 34 sessions at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, April 8–12, in Los Angeles, California. This year’s conference theme is “Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures.” 

The AERA Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of education researchers and provides an opportunity to advance knowledge by showcasing rigorous, innovative research. 

“As a leading national research organization, we are at the forefront of addressing the nation’s most difficult challenges in education and human development,” said Jannelle Kubinec, CEO of WestEd. “Our experts have compelling presentations planned for AERA that reflect both their deep expertise and WestEd’s commitment to helping leaders make research-informed and evidence-based decisions to improve outcomes in their schools and communities.”

Across sessions, WestEd researchers will share findings from state and federally funded studies and large-scale evaluations conducted in collaboration with districts, state agencies, and national organizations. 

Their presentations will cover a wide range of timely topics, including  

• literacy learning, 
• mathematics learning, 
• AI literacy, 
• teaching and learning with generative AI, 
• data literacy and data science practices, 
• culturally responsive mathematics education for edtech design, 
• STEM education, 
• community college mathematics, 
• teacher preparation and teacher workforce data, 
• disciplinary literacy, 
• school security equipment decision-making, and  
• bilingual teaching pathways. 

A full list of WestEd sessions at AERA is available at www.wested.org/event/wested-at-the-2026-aera-and-ncme-annual-meetings/. 

Conference attendees are invited to visit WestEd at Booth #247 in the exhibition hall to connect with staff and learn about emerging research.