Every day, educators make decisions that influence how children learn, how students engage in the classroom and how young people prepare for future careers.

Researchers in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC) at Texas A&M University are working to better understand those moments and develop solutions that strengthen educational outcomes. Their work includes supporting early childhood development and improving reading comprehension to expanding STEM opportunities and preparing students for a future driven by technology.

That impact has helped position TLAC among the strongest education research departments in the nation, according to data from Academic Analytics, which evaluates faculty research productivity and impact using measures such as publications, citations, grants and awards.

“TLAC faculty’s dedication to translating research into practical solutions is what makes our community of scholars so impactful,” said Dr. Carlos Valiente, who leads the department.

“By focusing on meaningful research, we ensure that every discovery improves outcomes for students and supports teachers in delivering innovative, evidence-based practices.”

Building Strong Foundations for Young Learners

Learning and development take place long before a child enters a K-12 classroom. Through the Texas A&M Institute for Early Childhood Development and Education, Dr. Hope Gerde and her colleagues help educators, families and communities support children’s language, reading and writing development.

Their work focuses on translating research into practical resources and professional learning opportunities that strengthen outcomes during the earliest stages of education.

Strengthening Reading Comprehension

Reading proficiency remains one of the strongest factors in predicting academic success. Dr. Kay Wijekumar’s research helps students go beyond simply reading words to understanding, organizing and retaining what they read through the Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation (KAT) framework.

By teaching students how to identify key ideas, organize information and make meaningful connections, the framework provides educators with strategies to improve comprehension across subjects.

Understanding How Students Learn

Effective teaching depends on understanding the best ways students can learn. Dr. Karen Rambo-Hernandez studies team-based learning and classroom engagement, examining how collaborative learning environments influence student understanding and participation.

Working directly with schools, Rambo-Hernandez’s research supports educators in identifying the teaching approaches that support learning and meaningful interaction in the classroom.

Expanding Opportunities in STEM

Through Aggie STEM, where Dr. Jamaal Young serves as co-director and Dr. Melanie Kinskey coordinates the day camp curriculum, students are connecting classroom learning to real-world challenges.

A recent partnership with the Texas A&M Space Institute and its Robotics and Automation Design (RAD) Laboratory introduces students to robotics, engineering and problem-solving through hands-on activities inspired by aerospace and emerging technologies.

By connecting STEM concepts to authentic applications, the program helps students explore future opportunities in high-demand fields.

Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Future

As artificial intelligence continues to expand across industries, researchers are exploring its role in education.

Dr. Tugce Aldemir has launched a federally funded project examining how AI can support STEM learning in rural middle schools. Students explore agricultural challenges, analyze data and develop evidence-based solutions while building computational thinking skills needed in today’s workforce, including their own communities.

These projects represent only a portion of the research conducted across TLAC. The impact of that research is evident not only in its recognition through Academic Analytics, but the College of Education and Human Development’s success in graduate education and production of teachers in Texas.

Through the dedication of its researchers, TLAC helps ensure that evidence-based practices reach classrooms across our state and beyond.

For media inquiries, contact Ruben Hidalgo.