From the Chief Administrator

Last week, Brad Buck, Director of the Iowa Department of Education, convened his advisory group of educational stakeholders. While many topics of interest were reviewed, it seems timely to report on the conversation regarding the Iowa Core. 

If you have been following educational conversations at the national or state level, you have likely read or heard a report in which questions about the Common Core or Iowa Core have been raised. This prompted the question to Director Buck regarding his view of the future of the Core in Iowa. The Director was firm in his commitment to the Core as adopted by the Iowa State Board of Education and clearly articulated the Core as the standards that define what children/young adults should know and be able to do in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The Iowa Core also addresses 21st century skills in areas such as financial and technology literacy. 

Many of you work on some aspect of Core implementation on a daily basis. Others may not know that Heartland AEA receives some support from a legislative appropriation to assist schools with this work. Resources related to the Core are available on our agency website as well as the Department of Education’s website. 

You may also find this policy statement from ASCD helpful as a source of information to understand some of the conversations and debates on this issue. I encourage you to explore these resources, as they will continue to be the foundation of instructional work in our school districts for the foreseeable future. 

Thank you for all you do for the Agency and for those we serve! 
Think spring, 
Paula Vincent