June 2025 Newsletter

2025 DRK-12 PI Meeting | Updates

The DRK–12 PI Meeting convened over three days from June 9–11, bringing together researchers, CADRE Fellows, and NSF program officers for hands-on workshops, concurrent sessions, a poster hall, and rich networking opportunities. Monday’s kickoff featured a practical introduction to social network analysis and dedicated networking sessions for Partnership projects, CAREER awardees, and CADRE Fellows, capped by CADRE leader Dr. Ilana Horn’s inspiring welcome, Maintaining Our Commitments in Challenging Times. Tuesday overflowed with concurrent sessions (from partnership co-design and learning progressions to fireside chats with foundation representatives), a plenary presentation on AI in STEM education, and a dynamic poster hall that showcased innovations in preK–12 STEM education. The meeting concluded on Wednesday with unconference-style affinity discussions, AI research panels, an innovation hackathon, closing reflections by the CADRE leaders, and more, leaving participants with ideas for the future of STEM education research.

We thank all the presenters and attendees who contributed to the meeting and engaging agenda. For those unable to attend the meeting, we’re able to share materials from four sessions you won’t want to miss. Guest presenters led a hands-on primer on social network analysis—perfect for anyone ready to map out collaboration and influence in education. In our fireside chat, representatives from the Heising-Simons, Spencer, and Overdeck Family foundations shared insights about their funding models and tips for crafting winning proposals. In the Scaling and Sustaining PreK–12 STEM Education Innovations session, presenters invited participants to dive into the 2024 NASEM report’s recommendations and discuss awardees’ real-world scaling dilemmas, strategies, and lessons learned. During a plenary presentation, experts in AI and STEM education discussed the potential of AI in preK–12 teaching and learning for the future.

Curious to learn more? Read about these sessions and access links to slides, hand-outs, and presenter materials. Attendees can continue to access all session resources on Whova.

Summer Reading List | 2024–25 DRK-12 Publications

CADRE has compiled a list of recent (2024 and 2025) publications affiliated with DRK–12 projects. Filter by grade level, content area, and/or topical focus area to find articles pertinent to your interests.

Featured publication: The Missing Middle? General and Special Educators’ Views of Effective Mathematics Instruction
Authors: Julie Cohen, Nathan Jones, and Lynsey Gibbons

The authors of this new article argue that the persistent separation between research in special education and research in general mathematics education has hampered efforts to design equitable, effective instruction for all learners. They contend that neither field alone has fully addressed the needs of students who struggle with mathematics and that bridging their complementary insights is essential. By convening researchers from both communities around the shared challenge of supporting complex mathematical sense-making, the authors uncovered numerous points of convergence. At the same time, tensions remain. The authors warn that without intentional collaboration—backed by institutional incentives, cross-community dialogue, and integrated preparatory experiences—teachers will continue to receive fragmented or conflicting guidance. They assert that by forging genuine partnerships between these research communities, we can develop coherent, evidence-informed frameworks and materials that empower teachers to support every student in engaging with and mastering complex mathematical ideas.

Read CADRE's Q&A with the lead authors.