Join WestEd researchers at the 58th Annual NCSM Conference, October 26–28, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. This year’s NCSM conference theme is “Elevate: Bold Mathematics Leadership.”
Add these WestEd sessions to your conference calendar and follow WestEd on LinkedIn and Bluesky to share your insights from the conference!
WestEd Sessions
Monday, October 26
Grounded in Reality: How Practitioner Voices and Research Reshape Curriculum
Time: 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Location: Plaza D
Presenters: Alicia Arenas, Ann Edwards (WestEd), and Steph Layson
When curricular or edtech products are designed in a vacuum, they often fall short in the classroom. This session shows how AIMS Collaboratory providers are revising their products through codesign that elevates practitioner voices and research rigor. District–provider partnerships reveal insights into diverse learner needs that product testing or focus groups often miss. Learn how districts can foster an ecosystem in which developers don’t just sell to schools but also learn from them to elevate instructional excellence.
AI in Mathematics Leadership: Navigating Guidance, Practice, and Possibilities
Time: 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Location: Governors Square 17
Presenters: Zarek Drozda, Ann Edwards (WestEd), Michael Greenlee, Robert Kaplinsky, and Dr. Nicki Newton
As artificial intelligence continues to shape teaching, learning, leadership, and decision-making in mathematics education, mathematics leaders are navigating new questions about responsible use, instructional implications, professional learning, and system-level guidance. This panel discussion will highlight NCSM’s work around AI, including the development of the NCSM Educational Technology and AI Guidance for Math Leaders, and provide members with an opportunity to hear from leaders contributing to national conversations about AI in mathematics education.
Tuesday, October 27
Possibilities for Student Mathematical Agency Through Real-World Problem Solving: Lessons From Supplemental Curriculum Implementation Research
Time: 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Location: Directors Row J
Presenters: Kirk Walters (WestEd), Jill Neumayer DePiper (WestEd), and Drew Nucci (WestEd)
This session shares findings from a mixed-methods study examining how supplemental real-world mathematics lessons influence students’ opportunities for mathematical agency. We analyzed data from 20 classroom observations of eight rural teachers in four states using both the supplemental and the normal curriculum. Session participants will examine the supplemental lessons and related classroom discourse examples, analyze constraints and affordances of context-rich materials, and discuss professional learning strategies for positioning students as mathematical sensemakers.
Math Pathways in Practice: Piloting Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning in 12 States
Time: 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Location: Governors Square 14
Presenters: Amy Getz (WestEd), Lya Snell, and John Fischer
What does it take to implement math pathways that meet the needs of today’s learners? This session explores a collaborative pilot of an Integrated Statistics and Quantitative Reasoning (ISQR) course across 12 states. Discover how this innovative curriculum integrates data literacy, quantitative reasoning, and relevance to prepare students for postsecondary success. We’ll share curriculum samples, the design process, early implementation insights, and strategies for scaling ISQR to transform high school math education for diverse learners.
Wednesday, October 28
Teacher-Driven Capacity Building for Multilingual Learners: Collaborative Lesson Inquiry Cycles
Time: 7:45–8:45 a.m.
Location: Governors Square 12
Presenters: Haiwen Chu (WestEd) and Monique Evans (WestEd)
We share insights from more than 15 cycles of collaborative lesson inquiry with 20 teachers in three districts engaging more than 200 students, many of whom are Multilingual Learners. We describe how our tools for observing for quality interactions in the classroom enable iterative improvements as teachers lead the conversation. We demonstrate how the joint enterprise of challenging and supporting Multilingual Learners is advanced by mutually engaging in planning and observing while developing a shared repertoire.
Supporting Teachers’ Transformative GenAI Use: Social and Institutional Contexts That Elevate Mathematics Learning Opportunities
Time: 1–2 p.m.
Location: Plaza E
Presenters: Drew Nucci (WestEd) and Ann Edwards (WestEd)
This session shares research findings from 90-minute interviews with 15 K–12 STEM teachers and 20 of their colleagues about their generative AI use for instructional tasks. We analyzed how their social and institutional contexts enabled or stifled teachers’ use of GenAI to design transformative learning opportunities for students. We will discuss cases that demonstrate which AI policies, resources, and messaging support math teachers’ innovation for the benefit of math students.