Every student in Iowa deserves an education that helps them succeed in today’s technology rich, global economy. The Iowa Core Curriculum delivers that education and Great Prairie AEA is committed to making that happen.The vision for the Iowa Core Curriculum is to ensure the success of each and every student by providing a world-class curriculum. The Core Curriculum is designed to improve student achievement of all students, preparing them for the world of work and lifelong learning. It identifies the essential content and instruction that all students must experience.
Great Prairie AEA believes that school districts that implement the Core Curriculum with integrity increase the likelihood that all students become lifelong learners, productive adults and engaged citizens. The improvement efforts are designed to yield positive results by enabling schools to prepare students to graduate with the 21st century skills and competencies needed to be successful in post-high school endeavors and the world of work.
It does so by taking learning to a deeper level and by focusing on a set of essential skills and concepts in literacy, math, science, social studies, and 21st century learning skills that Iowa students must know to succeed in today’s competitive world.
The technical assistance efforts supported by the Iowa Core Curriculum Department of Education Team, the Advisory Team and the Iowa Core Curriculum Area Education Agency (AEA) Network are designed to provide Iowa educators with the tools to ensure that essential subject matter is being taught and essential knowledge and skills are being learned. As a part of the technical assistance efforts, Great Prairie AEA has established a team comprised of members from various content areas.
Great Prairie AEA support has been ongoing for 18 months. During the first year, leadership teams from LEAs attended 6 trainings throughout the year to gain background on the Iowa Core Curriculum and to develop leadership skills. In addition to these meetings, the Iowa Core Curriculum consultants met with most LEA leadership teams on site to lead discussions and provide support.
As 2009-10 begins, additional support has occurred. The AEA team developed tools for LEAs to use during the year to become knowledgeable on the “what” of the Iowa Core Curriculum —the essential skills and concepts. Throughout the semester many of the instructional services consultants and Iowa Core Curriculum consultants have helped roll this out in districts. In the spring and into the next year, the agency will provide support in developing and implementing the plan. One support, on the “how,” will revolve around helping educators think conceptually and develop “big ideas with enduring understandings” around enacted and ICC curriculum. The agency is also using Doug Fisher’s work, the gradual release of responsibility, to help leaders and teachers create a framework for the work of the ICC to fit. Work with leaders began this winter; work with teachers will follow in the fall.
Learn more about how Great Prairie AEA supports the Iowa Core Curriculum by visiting http://www.gpaea.k12.ia.us/programs--services/iowa-core-curriculum.aspx
What it is…
A set of essential skills and concepts all Iowa students must know to succeed in today’s competitive world. They include:
- Grades K-12 literacy (listening, viewing, writing, speaking and reading);
- Grades K-12 mathematics (number and operations, algebra, geometry and measurement, data analysis and probability);
- Grades K-12 science (inquiry, physical science, earth and space and life);
- Grades 9-12 social studies (behavior sciences, economics, geography, history, political science and civic literacy); and
- Grades 9-12 21st century skills (employability, financial literacy, health literacy, civic literacy and technology literacy).
- Grades K-8 social studies and 21st century skills are currently being developed.
- A statewide mandate supported by funding, a network of implementation specialists and instruction and assessment resources for teachers and administrators.
- A collaborative effort designed by subject-specific teams of teachers, school administrators, curriculum directors, AEA staffers and business leaders.
- A support for Iowa’s mandated core content standards in reading, math and science.
What it is not…
- An initiative to make all Iowa schools teach the same lesson plans on the same days, or use the same textbooks.
- A move to replace the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or Iowa Test of Educational Development, or to promote a costly new battery of tests.
- An effort to subvert the creative contributions of Iowa’s talented teaching professionals.
- A program that will divert money from other education needs. In fact, the Legislature appropriated new money to finance Iowa Core Curriculum professional development training.
February 2010 Articles