What is the Iowa Core?
The Iowa Core is a statewide effort to improve teaching and learning to ensure that all Iowa students engage in rigorous and relevant curriculum.

Research shows that high expectations are a critical ingredient in improving student performance and ensuring student success beyond high school. The Iowa Core provides a guide to delivering challenging and meaningful content to students that prepares them for success in life. The Iowa Core identifies Essential Concepts and Skills for kindergarten through 12th grade in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and 21st century skills. It also includes direction for teachers regarding effective instruction and assessment.

In addition, it takes learning to a deeper level by moving students beyond superficial knowledge to deep conceptual and procedural knowledge. It also enhances student engagement by emphasizing interesting, robust, and relevant learning experiences.

The 2008 legislative session, through Senate File 2216, requires all school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to implement the Iowa Core Curriculum (July 1, 2012 for grades 9 through 12 and 2014-15 for kindergarten through 8th grade).

What will it offer Iowa students?
The intent of the Iowa Core is to ensure that all Iowa students have access to the challenging and meaningful curriculum that prepares them for success in postsecondary education and the emerging global economy.

What will it offer Iowa educators?
The intent of the Iowa Core is to provide a tool for Iowa school districts and educators to use in assuring that essential subject matter is being taught and essential knowledge and skills are being learned.

What is a parent or community member's role?
The full picture of the Iowa Core is one that includes communities and schools working together to support this historic endeavor. It galvanizes action to improve teaching and learning by encouraging educators, parents, and community members to strive toward a common goal of increasing student achievement and preparing students for the 21st century.

Additional Resources
To learn more about the Iowa Core and its implementation in Davenport Community Schools, please click any of the following:

• PowerPoint

• Talking Points

• Implementation Plan

If you have questions or comments, please contact Kathleen Learn, Curriculum & Instruction Specialist, at 563-336-5063 or via email at learnk@davenportschools.org