Iowa Core Discussion

this is an inspiring example. how can we create/foster/encourage more of this type of conversation in our classrooms?

an outstanding read for any and all math educators; agree or disagree, it's a nice conversation starter.

I appreciate this point, but it seems to go against so much of the daily grind of public education, i.e. curriculum mapping, assessments, instructional decision making, etc. I wonder how/if we can make this big shift? Have other countries already done so?

I think a big part of this is how the system was created and its goals. Much of learning does not fit well in an "efficiency" driven model with common standards for all.

It's nice to know that all the hard work is begin recognized. I really think that the ICC is here to stay. This is definitely going to be a great thing for the education of our Iowa students.

Agree! Congrats

I am wondering when this award was given because the article says "Today...." but there's no date. It is so good to see that SOMETHING is working in Iowa's Education system. The news in the special education arena received in August 2011 from Marty Ikeda was nothing short of disappointing and frankly, a big let down, with the information that Iowa is LAST in the nation in regards to the gap between special educaiton and regular education student achievement. So, this article reinforces my long-standing belief that Iowa is a LEADER in education. I am pleased to see that Iowa continues to pursue forward-thinking opportunities!!

One of the things I notice is the use of the generic terms. Sometimes my staff gets so caught up in the "tools", ie specific software, they over look the big picture.

With technology the 'tools' seem to change so quickly - that is where 'looking at the big picture', 'being willing to adapt to new changes, and 'the process of learning about technology' becomes important.

I think currently the students could help the teachers with this more than we can help them.

I am not sure that we currently have anyone on staff that is a master of all of these essential concepts. I see a lot of Professional Development needed in this area.

Are these standards just "good to know" or will schools be asked to merge their current standards with those of the ICC?

From what I've learned...schools will be asked to document how they are meeting each standard. Sort of like quasi-state standards, if you will. Not sure if it is to *replace* local standards though. This is where I'm unsure.

Districts will need to do an alignment of their curriculum with the core. They must cover everything in the core. My understanding is the core is supposed to be a core, and you should have time to add more than the core for the "local control" component. How they will be assessed is anyone's guess at this time.

The Iowa Core Content Standards are Iowa's state standards. This was put into code in Senate File 588 from the 2007 legislative session. So, every district is responsible for implementing all of the Iowa Core Content Standards. As for how this relates to the Iowa Core Curriculum, the statements I've heard coming out of the DOE are that by implementing the Iowa Core Curriculum, districts will be implementing the Iowa Core Content Standards, and going beyond them. Districts are not expected to do any merging or additional alignment work between these two documents. The idea is that if you implement the ICC, you won't have to engage in separate or additional work to implement the Iowa Core Content Standards.

I like that "grade spans" pushes teachers in the span toward collaboration. I see that collaboration in the reinforecement and building aspects.

How would you define success in post-secondary education? Thinking back to the near-decade I spent in college, I would say it's a mix of interpersonal skills, finding and pursuing goals and passions, and realizing the importance multiple literacies.

good description, Russ. The more I teach high school students, the more I think about what it means to "prepare them for postsecondary success." Does it mean lecturing for 60 minutes so that they're used to it when they take Bio 101? Does it mean assigning them 15 page essays in preparation for College Composition? Or does it mean preparing them with the essential content so that they have the appropriate pre-requisite knowledge their freshmen year of college? Or is it a combination of all of the above? I think if we can help them see the "life long learning" thing...AND somehow develop a relentless pursuit for excellence. I think it'd be cool if a student was so fixated on learning that he/she studied every single problem/concept/idea (wouldn't leave me or the computer or whatever other resource alone) until he/she was confident that it was understood. TOTALLY idealistic, but cultivating this type of passion towards learning seems to be a sure-fire ingredient for success at the post-secondary level.