The Iowa Math Counts Act (HF 784) requires all K-6 students to be screened three times a year. Schools will use the results from the screener to identify any student who is persistently at risk in mathematics. For any student identified as persistently at risk, schools must create a personalized mathematics plan, provide interventions, and monitor progress. 

The winter screening window starts on January 5, 2026 and concludes on February 6, 2026. The spring screening window is from April 20 - May 29, 2026.

Resources available to support schools:

• 2025-26 Required Student Assessments and Training - complete list of federally and state mandated assessments with their respective testing window.
• Early Literacy and Mathematics: Assessment and Intervention
• Iowa Math Counts Act (House File 784)- video explaining the requirements for screening, progress monitoring and interventions under the Iowa Math Counts Act (HF 784).
• Model Personalized Mathematics Plan: HF 784 Technical Assistance
• 2025-26 Approved Early Mathematics Assessments
• Early Warning Systems Emails listserv - receive updates on Iowa’s Early Warning System including Panorama Student Success.

Mathematics Professional Development for Grades K-6

The Iowa Department of Education is providing professional learning aligned with the goals of House File 784 (HF 784), which prioritizes high-quality instruction in early numeracy at no cost for all educators in grades K-6. Build Math Minds -- The Flexibility Formula provides an overview of the components of the professional learning, including asynchronous modules and opportunities for digging deeper in synchronous virtual sessions.

This professional learning series is designed to strengthen mathematics instruction by building fluency and deepening educators' conceptual understanding. Developed by nationally recognized mathematics educator Christina Tondevold, The Flexibility Formula supports teachers in helping all students develop a strong foundation in number sense.

This professional learning opportunity is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that all Iowa students develop strong mathematical foundations. Additional support will be provided for schools identified for comprehensive support.

For any questions, contact April Pforts at april.pforts@iowa.gov.

New Resource Alert:

Two new printable tools are now available in the images folder to support number sense and fluency in the early grades:

Teaching Addition and Subtraction Within 5 – A classroom-ready resource that supports early learners in solving addition and subtraction problems within 5 using a concrete–pictorial–abstract progression, helping students build understanding across multiple models and representations.

Sixth Grade Visual Representations – A collection of visual models designed to support educator learning and instruction by helping teachers unpack Grade 6 standards and explore how multiple representations can strengthen students’ conceptual understanding across key mathematical ideas.

Want to dig deeper? Explore the Iowa Academic Standards for Mathematics Implementation Resources Guidebook for strategies, tools, and examples to support implementation.

Questions? Contact April Pforts (april.pforts@iowa.gov) or Christi Donald (christi.donald@iowa.gov).

The Iowa Department of Education is seeking qualified educators, administrators, higher education professionals, and community stakeholders to help set performance standards for the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) in English language arts and mathematics. This work will support the updated academic standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
The performance standard setting will take place June 8–12 in Des Moines, and participants must be available for the full schedule. An honorarium of $200 per day, plus reimbursement for travel and lodging, will be provided.
About 170 seats are available and all interested individuals with knowledge of the updated standards are encouraged to apply. Applications are being accepted through February 9, at 5:00 p.m. For more information and to apply, visit the Department’s website or contact Heather Briggs at heather.briggs@iowa.gov.

Are you a district math leader or instructional coach looking to collaborate, share ideas, and learn with others across Iowa? The Math Instructional Coach Network is the place for you!

This virtual network meets from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on the second Monday of each month to discuss timely topics and practical strategies related to the Math Counts Bill and effective math leadership.

Upcoming Topics:

• Feb. 9: Navigating Panorama
• Mar. 9: Is My Intervention Working?
• Apr. 13 & May 11: TBD

Bring your questions, ideas, and insights to share!

Questions? Contact Kristin Grotewold (kgrotewold@waukeeschools.org) or Tamara Bane (tbane@winterset.k12.ia.us).

This is made available through a collaboration of the Iowa Council of Teacher of Mathematics (ICTM) and the Iowa Affiliate of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (IA-NCSM).

The Iowa State University Program for Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) is offering several exciting opportunities for students this spring and summer. Middle and high school students can explore STEM through hands-on learning, campus experiences, and career exploration.

Go Further Girls STEM Conference (for grades 7–10) will be held on March 26 and April 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Iowa State University. Students participate in interactive STEM activities and learn about majors and careers they may not have encountered before. Registration is now open with early registration at $30 per student and late registration (after March 13) at $35 per student.

High school juniors and seniors can also apply for RISE with WiSE, a residential summer program for rising 11th- and 12th-graders, running July 12–16 or July 19–23, 2026. Students choose a Science or Engineering track, engage in hands-on STEM experiences, and explore life at Iowa State University. The cost is $450, which includes housing, meals, and program materials, and financial assistance is available. Applications are open and space is limited.

In addition, educators can request WiSE Student Role Models to visit classrooms or events for free. These Iowa State students provide engaging, hands-on STEM activities for PK–12 students across Iowa.
For more information and registration links, visit the WiSE Outreach website or contact rolemodels@iastate.edu.

Teaching and learning grants are available this spring through the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics. ICTM members may request up to $750 to support professional learning or projects that promote access and equity for all students, or that are aligned with the Iowa Academic Standards for Mathematical Content and Practice Standards or the 8 Effective Teaching Practices.
This is a great opportunity to take a course, purchase classroom tools, or try out new instructional materials. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and awarded quarterly, with up to $6,000 distributed each calendar year.
Applications for this cycle are due by March 31 and will be reviewed in early April.

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Department of Education is currently accepting teacher applications for the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program for the summer of 2026. Summer placements will begin on March 2, 2026.
Now entering its seventeenth year, the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program pairs Iowa teachers with a local business or industry workplace host for a six-week summer experience.
Teachers who participate in externships benefit from exposure to real-world STEM applications and from building school-business partnerships. In turn, teachers can improve students' experiences and career knowledge.
STEM Teachers participating in the program earn a stipend of up to $5,500 and three graduate credits through the University of Northern Iowa’s Continuing Education program.
One of the great things about the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships Program is its flexibility. If you have read anything here that piques your interest and you have more questions about the program, we invite you to join the conversation. You can find more information on the Iowa STEM Teacher Externships webpage or by contacting Program Coordinator Ann Gritzner at Gritzner@IowaSTEM.org. 

The Math Fact Fluency Companion Website offers free access to classroom-ready resources that support effective, research-based instruction in mathematics facts. Designed to accompany Math Fact Fluency by Jennifer Bay-Williams and Gina Kling, the site includes updated game boards and instruction sheets, now available in PDF and Google Slides formats.

Educators can also explore interactive demonstrations of the games, making it easier to understand how the activities work and how they support learning and retention. These resources are intended to help teachers provide engaging practice while building student confidence and understanding.

Connection to the Flexibility Formula
This free companion website supports the Flexibility Formula professional learning by emphasizing strategic reasoning, multiple ways to solve, and meaningful practice. The games, demonstrations, and instructional supports reinforce flexible thinking about math facts—moving beyond memorization to understanding, efficiency, and confidence.

ICTM and IA-NCSM are proud to host Dr. Matt Larson—former NCTM President and NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award recipient—for a special session titled Navigating the False Dichotomies of Math Education.

In this session, Dr. Larson will explore common “either/or” tensions in mathematics education—such as direct instruction vs. inquiry, skills vs. concepts, and teacher-directed vs. student-centered—and how educators and leaders can move beyond them to support both strong learning and positive mathematical identities for every student.

The session will take place on Monday, May 11, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. during the Math Instructional Coach Network. This session will not be recorded, so be sure to mark your calendar. No registration is required—join using the Zoom link.

Mark your calendars for the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) 60th Conference, October 19–20, 2026, for an unforgettable two-day professional learning experience!

Monday, October 19:
Join a full-day workshop with your choice of Graham Fletcher (elementary focus) or Pam Harris (secondary focus).

Tuesday, October 20:
Attend the ICTM Fall Conference, featuring keynote speaker Christina Tondevold, along with engaging sessions from Graham Fletcher and Pam Harris.

Iowa’s premier mathematics education event—packed with inspiration, collaboration, and classroom-ready strategies for every grade level.

Save the date and don’t miss out! Be sure to check out ICTM for other happenings.

Stay Connected:

Follow ICTM on social media for updates, resources, and event highlights!

• Facebook: facebook.com/iowamath
• Instagram: @iowamathteach
• X (formerly Twitter): @IowaMathTeach
• Bluesky: iowamathteach.bsky.social

Transform your approach to mathematics instruction for multilingual learners!

This 100% self-paced online course from Iowa State University helps K–12 teachers apply research-based strategies to meet the diverse linguistic and cultural needs of students in math classrooms. Participants explore topics such as culturally sustaining pedagogy, mathematical discussion, translanguaging, and family engagement.

Course Highlights:

• Free online textbook
• Licensure Renewal (LR) credit available — 1 to 3 credits ($85/credit)
• Free lesson plans upon completion

Registration Opens: Nov. 1, 2025

Registration Closes: May 2026

Learn more or enroll: go.iastate.edu/LSXWVY

Contact: Dr. Jiyeong Yi – jjiyeongi@iastate.edu