What Matters to Teachers: Alignment with Contemporary Educational Research

• In Event: Teachers at the Center: Reimagining Education Through Voice and Vision

Abstract

Educational research aims to inform policy and practice, yet a persistent gap remains between the topics researchers prioritize and the challenges classroom teachers face. This study investigates the extent to which contemporary educational research aligns with the priorities of U.S. K-12 teachers. Using a two-pronged approach, we conducted a content analysis of American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting programs (2021-2025) and surveyed a national sample of teachers (n=263). While AERA presentations emphasized equity, social justice, and identity markers, teachers prioritized student behavior, mental health, instructional challenges, and parent support. Our findings reveal a significant mismatch, raising important questions about how educational research can better respond to the needs of practitioners and serve the public good.

Authors

• David T. Marshall, Auburn University

• Andrew Pendola, Auburn University

• Tim Pressley, Christopher Newport University