The Iowa Department of Education is hosting a series of forums seeking public input on proposed updates to the state’s mathematics standards.
The standards, which outline what students must learn in order to be prepared for success as they progress each year and after high school, were reviewed and revised over the last six months by a team consisting of elementary and secondary educators and administrators, area education agency partners, representatives from institutions of higher education and content experts from the Department. State law requires an ongoing review of Iowa’s academic standards, including public comment, to ensure content is current and aligns with best practices.
Iowans who wish to share feedback are encouraged to review the proposed updates and attend one of the following public forums or submit comments by responding to the survey. Input from the forums and written submissions will be considered in the teams’ final recommendations to the State Board of Education.
Public forums will be held on the following dates, times and locations:
- Jan. 17, Drake University, 101 Aliber Hall, 2847 University Ave., Des Moines, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Jan. 22, Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Pkwy, Cedar Falls, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Jan. 23, Kirkwood Regional Center, 2301 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Jan. 24, Southwestern Community College Instructional Center, Room 220, 1501 W. Townline Street Creston, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Jan. 25, NWAEA, 5800 Discovery Blvd Sioux City, 6 to 7 p.m.
The Department is also seeking elementary and secondary mathematics teachers, professors at institutions of higher education, parents and business and community leaders to serve on a revision team that will review and take the comments and feedback into consideration in final recommendations to the State Board of Education. Individuals interested in serving on the public comment revision team can learn more and apply by completing the Department’s online application.
Once the updated standards are reviewed, a final standards proposal will go before the State Board of Education for consideration. If adopted, the revised mathematics standards will be required of school districts.
About Iowa’s academic standards: Iowa’s Academic Standards provide a set of common expectations for school districts across the state while allowing for decisions regarding curriculum and how it is delivered to be made locally. The standards establish what students must learn to be prepared for success after high school. Local schools and educators continue to set and oversee decisions about curriculum and classroom instruction.
In addition to mathematics, Iowa’s academic standards also cover literacy, science, social studies and 21st century skills, such as financial literacy. They also include recommended standards for computer science, fine arts, physical education and health.
Read more about the Mathematics Standards Revision Team and its work