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Understanding Standards Aligned Mathematics Assessment

Getting everyone on the same (math) page

When Iowa adopted the Iowa Core Standards, I was teaching high school mathematics. In my school’s professional learning communities, we would discuss what the standards meant.

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students on computers

Transitioning to Smarter Balanced Assessments

A new webpage will help Iowa teachers, leaders, and parents prepare for a transition to new statewide assessments in English language arts and mathematics in 2017-18.

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New science standards: Learning from educators who have implemented them

New science standards: Learning from educators who have implemented them

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teachers

Getting to the core of the matter

Elementary school creates model to ensure Iowa Core access

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Iowa Core Parent's Guides

Iowa Core Parent Guides/Guía Para Padres

Parent guides, in English and Spanish, provide an overview of what students will learn by the end of each grade level as directed by the Iowa Core, our statewide academic standards.

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Welcome to IowaCore.gov

Welcome to IowaCore.gov

IowaCore.gov is for educators, parents and other stakeholders to better understand, access, and deliver the Iowa Core standards.

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Voice from the Field

Getting everyone on the same (math) page

When Iowa adopted the Iowa Core Standards, I was teaching high school mathematics. In my school’s professional learning communities, we would discuss what the standards meant. We would sometimes differ on what we thought was important when it came to the key vocabulary, domains, depth of knowledge, strategies for assessment, and so on. I found that we could read the same standard and each interpret it a little differently. One of the things that helped us was looking at the resources available... Read More

Iowa Core Spotlight

Educators, parents, business people – they support the Iowa Core. Why? Because they understand that the Iowa Core ensures all students are experiencing higher levels of education. Critical-thinking, analysis, and deduction are just some of the skills that students in the 21st century will be expected to have upon graduation.

Visit Iowa Core Spotlight Page
Becky Thorson, Cedar Rapids CSD

Becky Thorson

K-8 Math Curriculum Facilitator, Cedar Rapids Community School District
Cedar Rapids
Elliott Smith

Elliott Smith

Iowa Business Council
Des Moines
Susie Lund

Susie Lund

Instructional Coach and Alternate Assessment Coordinator, Waterloo Community School District
Waterloo, IA

Explore the Iowa Core

  • Browse by Grade
  • Browse by Subject

    • Browse the Iowa Core Standards by grade and subject.

  • Iowa Core Essential Elements

    • Iowa Core Essential Elements are for students with significant cognitive disabilities participating in alternate assessments.

    Educator Resources

    Planning, professional learning, and observational tools to assist leaders in supporting implementation of the Iowa Core. Teacher tools to help design instruction that support all students in meeting Iowa Core expectations.

    Math Tools
    Educator Resources

    Parents and Community

    Rachel Kruse

    Special education teacher Rachel Kruse makes no bones about it: She likes the Iowa Core, or standards.

    teachers

    Elementary school creates model to ensure Iowa Core access

    Fort Dodge’s curriculum director Stacey Cole pondered one day whether students on Individualized Education Programs were receiving instruction through the lens of the Iowa Core.

    Kim Siberski and one student

    The Core-and-more battle cry in educating students on Individualized Education Programs turned to boots-on-the-ground reality as teachers unpacked the Iowa Core in earnest. That’s because the Iowa Core is now required in all schools, all grades.

    Parent Guide Circle Image

    The Iowa Core Parent Guides, in English and Spanish, were developed to provide an overview of what students will learn by the end of each grade level as directed by the Iowa Core, our statewide academic standards.

    Teacher and student.

    When the Central Community School District in DeWitt began to implement Iowa’s statewide standards, some teachers initially wondered if the Iowa Core represented an education fad that eventually would pass.

    Iowa Core circle
    What is the Iowa Core?

    A great school system begins with a clear and rigorous set of expectations, or standards, that educators help all students reach. In Iowa, those standards are known as the Iowa Core.