Skip to main content
When students become scientists…

When students become scientists…

The new standards are coming! The new standards are coming! The new standards…..enough already! After new science standards were adopted by Iowa, many of the science teachers in the state probably felt either a twinge of panic, a wave of “not this again,” or a strong desire to “get it done.”

Read More
October 2016 Voice from the Field blog post

Getting students to ‘own’ their learning

Have you ever felt like there is not enough time to teach all the standards? This seems to be a prevalent issue, especially for social studies teachers.

Read More
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.

Read More
New science standards: Learning from educators who have implemented them

New science standards: Learning from educators who have implemented them

Read More
teachers

Getting to the core of the matter

Elementary school creates model to ensure Iowa Core access

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More

Voice from the Field

When students become scientists…

The new standards are coming! The new standards are coming! The new standards…..enough already! After new science standards were adopted by Iowa, many of the science teachers in the state probably felt either a twinge of panic, a wave of “not this again,” or a strong desire to “get it done.” I felt a twinge of panic that quickly evolved into a desire to embrace the chance to up my game and improve my classroom. I dove in without even testing the waters. I attended my local Area Education Agency... 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.