Shaping the Future of Math Education: Doug McDougall at AERA 2026

At a point in his career when many reflect on their legacy, Professor Emeritus Doug McDougall is doing what he’s always done, looking ahead: sharing new research, forming connections, and shaping the future of mathematics education on a global stage.

From Apr. 8 to 12, McDougall will travel to Los Angeles for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting, one of the most significant gatherings in education research worldwide each year. 

For McDougall, the conference is both familiar and meaningful. “AERA is a very special conference for me,” he says. “I've been going, probably for the last off and on for 30 years.”

This year, his contributions reflect both the scope of his scholarship and his long-standing commitment to improving mathematics education, particularly in the context of Ontario’s Grade 9 de-streamed mathematics curriculum.

McDougall will take on multiple roles at AERA. As editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, he will join a Journal Talks session with fellow editors-in-chief, guiding participants through the publication process and sharing what journals are looking for. 

“Last year proved very productive, because there were quite a number of papers that emerged out of the AERA conference that found their way into the journal,” he explains, noting that these conversations often spark future publications and collaborations.

McDougall will also present his work in several sessions:

• In a roundtable titled Addressing Challenges in Students' Learning of Mathematics, McDougall will present on Exploring a Framework for Mixed-Ability Mathematics Classrooms: An Adapted Differentiated Instruction Model.
• In a paper session on equity and access, McDougall will present on From Policy to Practice: Challenges and Effects of the Grade 9 De-streamed Math Curriculum Implementation in Ontario, Canada.
• In another roundtable discussion, Opening Doors or Shifting Barriers? Policy Implementation and Futures of Educational Access, McDougall will present on Navigating Educational Change: The Role of School District Leadership in Implementing Ontario's Grade 9 De-streamed Mathematics Curriculum Policy.

Each of these presentations is tied to a broader research goal shaped by recent federally funded projects.

“They stem from two federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grants… focusing on improving the mathematics teaching and learning in grade nine… and… the leadership side,” he says. Together, these projects aim to help teachers effectively teach and support learning in Grade 9 mathematics.

Central to McDougall’s work is the shift to de-streamed classrooms, where math students of different abilities and backgrounds learn together. 

“Taking students who normally would have been streamed in two or three areas of math and now all together in one classroom… They may have been learning in a different language… missing some vocabulary or might be missing some concepts, or may know more than what we know here…others may have been working at a different pace, with different skills, with different support.”

McDougall’s research examines both the benefits, and the challenges that de-streaming math classrooms brings – from instructional strategies to leadership decisions and system-wide supports. 

“I've been working with local school districts and focusing on how we might be able to improve that” he says, emphasizing that meaningful change requires collaboration across classrooms, schools, and districts.

McDougall is looking forward to attending AERA 2026 to connect with other people in who are doing similar kind of work…from all over the world.

”If we stay locally… we don't get a chance to see more a more global perspective on what education is about… there's so many other themes out there of research that's taking place that might be maybe tangential to what we're doing,” he says.

McDougall’s participation at AERA will be part of a larger presence by the OISE community. The conference offers faculty, students, and alumni a chance to engage with cutting-edge research and network with others in the field.

The OISE community attending AERA will also have the opportunity to share their conference experiences and connect at a special reception on April 11 at Moonlark’s Dinette in downtown Los Angeles. Hosted by Dean Erica Walker, the event will bring members together to reflect on the week’s conversations and celebrate their collective work. Don’t forget to register here and attend the reception.

As a Professor Emeritus, founder of OISE’s Master of Teaching program, and mentor to dozens of students, McDougall has left a lasting mark on the field of education. In the fall of 2025, as he retired from active faculty duties, he also made a lasting investment in the future of the profession by establishing the Professor Douglas McDougall Scholarship in Mathematics Education. The scholarship supports high-achieving Master of Teaching or PhD students specializing in mathematics who are dedicated to advancing math education.

“I'm hoping that it will help a student who is not sure about coming [to OISE] because of financial need, and will decide that this is the place to be…I hope that they will take on this responsibility, that they might become leaders in the future and find ways to support other teachers from this start that they got themselves.”

Through his research, mentorship, and ongoing engagement with the global education community, McDougall continues to practice what he preaches, helping educators, researchers, and leaders advance mathematics education.