The Iowa Department of Education provides targeted support to help districts strengthen mathematics instruction for students receiving special education services. Donna Sump-McClain, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Mathematics Educational Program Consultant, works with schools to connect special education supports with effective mathematics instruction.

Available support includes IDEA-DA mathematics assistance, such as data review protocols and implementation planning, as well as professional learning opportunities focused on SDI mathematics. Professional learning packages will be available for both elementary and secondary educators, along with leadership and coaching supports to help teams strengthen systems and instructional practices.

For more information or to request support, contact Donna Sump-McClain at donna.sump-mcclain@iowa.gov or (515) 971-7842.

The Mathematics Evidence-Based Practice Brief is a comprehensive resource connecting research to classroom practice, this brief outlines high-impact, evidence-based mathematics teaching practices that support implementation of the Iowa Academic Standards. It highlights essential instructional practices—such as promoting mathematical discourse, building procedural fluency from conceptual understanding, supporting productive struggle, and using evidence of student thinking—to strengthen planning and instructional decision-making across grade levels

Explore the Mathematics Standards page for the Iowa Academic Standards for Mathematics, Implementation Guidebook and Model High School Course Pathways SCED Codes.
Questions? Contact April Pforts april.pforts@iowa.gov or Christi Donald christi.donald@iowa.gov.

Family involvement plays an important role in student success in mathematics. The Iowa Department of Education offers Mathematics Supports & Resources for Families, a collection of structured, high-quality tools designed to build confidence, strengthen understanding, and encourage meaningful math conversations at home.

At the center of these resources is Math Moments that Matter, a series of grade-level family pages that schools are encouraged to share. These pages help strengthen home–school partnerships, support number sense and problem-solving, and extend classroom learning into everyday life.

Each grade-level page includes:

• A clear explanation of key math concepts
• Simple ways to talk, listen, and engage in
  mathematical thinking (such as problem solving, data analysis, and modeling)
• What families may see in the classroom
• Practical ideas to try at home

Resources are available for Kindergarten through grade 6 and focus on essential topics such as place value, operations, fractions, measurement, algebraic thinking, and ratio reasoning. These tools are designed to help families support students in talking about, thinking about, and enjoying mathematics.

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 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.

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 –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:
Mar. 9: Math Counts Bill: Q&A with State support
Apr. 13: Math Counts Bill: Interventions
May 11: Dr. Matt Larson: Navigating the False Dichotomies of Math Education
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).

Join UNI on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. at the University of Northern Iowa (Sabin Hall 002) for a special guest presentation by Dr. Amanda Jansen. Drawing on ideas from Rough Draft Math: Revising to Learn, Dr. Jansen will explore how positioning mathematics as a process of drafting and revising can deepen understanding and strengthen student engagement.

This no-cost event is open to the public and is especially relevant for university students, faculty, teachers, instructional leaders, and families. Door prizes include copies of Rough Draft Math. We hope you will join us for this engaging conversation about supporting meaningful mathematics learning.

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.

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

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.

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