Iowa Core Updates for March 2011
Outcome:
Updates:
#1Leadership:
From Kevin Fangman, Administrator, Iowa DE:
 Currently, there is NO LANGUAGE to strike the Core.
 Education Summit – under development planned for
Summer 2011
 Director Glass supportive overall of the Iowa Core.
Tweaking/changing is probably going to happen; he is in
favor of a stronger assessment system.
Leadership Academy:
Dates for Session 3:



Northern small districts: April 19, 2011- 8:30-4:00;
KTOS, Marion.
North Central mid-size districts: April 25, 2011- 8:304:00; Grant Wood AEA- 6th St location.
Southern AEA districts: April 12, 2011- 8:30 a.m.– 4:00
p.m.; Coralville Public Library.
Please Note:
Session 3 of Leadership Academy
 Morning will be devoted for teams to work on Self
Study, Iowa Core Implementation Plan, and prepare
for Spring Collaborative Peer Review
(detailed agenda will follow)
Spring Collaborative Peer Review: 8:30-3:30



Northern small districts: May 3- Kirkwood Campus/
Iowa Hall; 9708-10-01.
North Central mid-size districts: May 9- GWAEA/6th
St.; 9708-10-02.
Southern AEA districts: May 10- TBD; 9708-10-03.
Spring Collaborative Peer Review Suggestions:

Consider bringing no more than 6-8 team members.

Teams need to be prepared to make a 20 minute
team presentation on the following four elements of
their Iowa Core Implementation Plan (according to
district priority).
1. Review 2010-11 Iowa Core Implementation Plan.
2. Report on outcome(s), action step(s) and activities
completed or not completed during 2010-2011.
3. Results of implementation: evidence including data
and artifacts. In addition, report overall progress.
4. Next steps including process you will use to modify
Iowa Core Implementation Plan and anticipated
changes for 2011-2012.
Please Note: Morning will be devoted to Spring Peer Review
Process. Afternoon will provide time for Iowa Core Lead teams
to process input, consider implications, and plan for 11-12.
#2Community:

We encourage you to check out the Iowa Future website
promoting the need for innovation in education, sharing
ideas from across the state and nation, and highlighting the
work underway to prepare for the future.

Service Learning: AEA 10 Contact, Susie Green,
Student Programs Specialist, sgreen@gwaea.org, 399-6775
Contact Susie Green for information and resources.
#3Continuous
Improvemen
t:

Districts can continuously review and update their Iowa
Core implementation plans (make changes, add evidence of
progress, etc.) on the EdInfo. site.
From Cindy Yelick, Iowa Core Administrator:
The state-wide Iowa Core Long Range Planning Committee
comprised of a variety of stakeholders recommends the
following foci:
1. Quality of Instruction (focus on evidence of effective
teaching and student learning)
2. System Unification (increase consistency and reduce
redundancy between educational partners and supports)
3. Options for Learning (beyond the traditional face-toface “school house” opportunities)
4. Competency-based System (students progress based on
skill development and competencies)
Question Posed:
Is full implementation of the Iowa Core still expected by 2012
and 2014?
Answer: The definition of full implementation has not changed:
Full implementation is accomplished when the district or
school is able to provide evidence that an ongoing process is in
place to ensure that each and every student is learning the
Essential Concepts and Skills of the Iowa Core. A school that
has fully implemented the Iowa Core is engaged in an ongoing
process of data gathering and analysis, decision-making,
identifying actions, and assessing impact around alignment
and professional development focused on content instruction
and assessment. The school is fully engaged in a continuous
improvement process that specifically targets improved
student learning and performance.
(Iowa Core Self Study and Implementation Plan Handbook)
#4Alignment:

Schools are continuing to make decisions about alignment
tools. Contact your AEA Regional Administrator and/or
Iowa Core lead for more information.

Information to date tells us that 22/32 AEA 10 districts
have identified an Iowa Core alignment data collection tool.
From Iowa Core Network Alignment Team: There are a
variety of alignment processes with varying levels of
reliability, so users need to recognize this and ensure that the
processes they put in place collect the information desired.
Contact your Iowa Core lead for additional resources.
Recently Posted:
New Iowa Core Mathematics K-8 webcast.
http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_conten
t&view=article&id=2111
Additional content regarding Iowa Core Content are under
development and will be added to this link as available.
These are linked on the DE’s homepage and the Iowa Core
website as well.
#5Professional
Development
:
Looking Ahead:
Iowa Core Supports for 2011-2012
 Iowa Core Leadership
Session 1: Leading in a Changing Context
Session 2: Monitoring and Evaluating Implementation
Session 3: Continuous Improvement
Northern: 9/13/11, 1/17/12, 5/8/12
Central: 9/20/11, 1/24/12, 5/15/12
Southern: 9/27/11, 1/31/12, 5/22/12

AEA 10 will continue to provide on-site learning
opportunities and technical assistance in support of
district’s priorities:
PLCs and CLTs
Alignment Processes
Effective Instruction and Student Learning
#6Instruction
and
Assessment

Entrepreneurship Workshop
Number: 5610-10-01
Dates/Time: Apr. 13 & 14, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Audience: High School Teachers
Registration: Complete registration form or register
electronically Noncredit = $25 Renewal credit = $50
(1 credit hour)
Instructor(s): Rich McCarty and Dawn Bowlus, U of I
Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship
Graduate credit through U of I available for additional fee.

Career Awareness Class: Number: 4190-10-01
(21st Century Skills and Universal Constructs)
Dates/Time: Jun. 21, 22, & 23, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Room 317 C/D, Iowa Hall, Kirkwood Community
College, Cedar Rapids
Audience: Grade 7-12 Administrators, Counselors, Teachers
Registration: Registration: Complete registration form or
register electronically Non-credit = $50, Renewal credit =
$75 Drake credit = $150 (1 credit hour)

Implementing the Iowa Core through the Fine Arts
Number: 4482-10-01
Dates/Time: Jun. 28, 29 & 30, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Grant Wood AEA, 4401 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids
Audience: K-12 Fine Arts Educators, Iowa Core Leaders
Registration: Complete registration form or register
electronically
Non-credit and renewal credit = $80 Drake credit = $165
(1 credit hour)

Iowa Core Moodle is available for Iowa educators. Access
via link: http://moodle.aea11.k12.ia.us/moodle.
A one page document with directions for how to access the
Moodle site is available. Contact Iowa Core lead.

Iowa College Aid has partnered with EverFi, Inc., the
industry leader in web-based financial literacy programs, to
bring financial education to every high school in Iowa. The
Iowa Financial Literacy Program is the latest enhancement
to the statewide community web portal,
www.IHaveAPlanIowa.gov.

Assessment for Learning (formative assessment) Resources:
A comprehensive set of learning materials has been
developed and is available on the Iowa Core Moodle.
Contact your AEA 10 Iowa Core Lead Team member for
additional information.