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The Iowa Department of Education’s HQIM Leadership Academy supports district and school leadership teams in building the knowledge, systems, and practices needed to implement High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) with integrity. HQIM provides a rigorous, coherent foundation for instruction by ensuring educators have access to standards-aligned content, meaningful tasks, and practical supports that help every learner engage in grade-level instruction.
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, districts are invited to participate in Cohort 2 of the HQIM Leadership Academy through one or both content pathways.
Districts may select the pathway(s) that align with their highest-priority content areas for HQIM implementation.
Literacy Pathway. Build district capacity to support high-integrity implementation of high-quality literacy materials and strengthen literacy instruction across classrooms.
Mathematics Pathway. Build district capacity to support high-integrity implementation of high-quality mathematics materials and strengthen mathematics instruction across classrooms.
Districts may participate in the Literacy pathway, the Mathematics pathway, or both pathways.
Check out the High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) webpage for more information.
For questions, contact Darcie Kress (darcie.kress@iowa.gov) or Christi Donald (christi.donald@iowa.gov).
DLM is seeking both special education and general education teachers with ELA, mathematics, or science experience to participate in the Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) Item Writing event in Kansas City, Missouri, October 26–29.
This is an opportunity to help develop future DLM assessment content, collaborate with fellow educators, and contribute to meaningful assessment work that supports students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
Participants receive a daily honorarium or substitute reimbursement, all travel expenses are covered, and additional paid remote writing opportunities may be available following the event.
If you are interested, please complete the interest survey linked here by August 18. Completing the survey does not obligate you to participate, and selected participants will be contacted after the review process.
Additional event details are available in the DLM Item Writing Event flyer.
 To support early identification and targeted instruction, the Iowa Department of Education has updated the vetted list of mathematics screening and progress monitoring tools for students in grades K–6 that are designed to support local implementation of MTSS. All districts must administer an approved screener three times annually and use an approved progress monitoring tool. The 2026–2027 list of assessments includes all the approved assessments from 2025–2026 as well as those that met the technical requirements outlined in House File 784 that applied in the recent Request for Approval (RFAP). Some tools expanded their approval to include additional grade levels, and some tools are from new vendors.
For any questions, contact Melissa Carlson at melissa.carlson@iowa.gov.
By the 2027–2028 school year, all districts will have an advanced mathematics pathway as established in Iowa Code 279.89. In addition, districts will establish and implement procedures for automatic enrollment into advanced mathematics and/or English language arts coursework in Iowa Code 279.90. The Iowa Department of Education has released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource to provide initial clarification.
Any questions can be directed to Molly McConnell at molly.mcconnell@iowa.gov.
 Iowa Code 279.68, as amended by House File 2618 and House File 784, promotes effective assessment, instruction, and intervention practices to support all students to become proficient in reading and mathematics. Based on questions received from the field, the Department has released a document addressing frequently asked questions about the Early Literacy Implementation (ELI) and Math Counts Act. This guidance answers questions about screening, risk and proficiency determinations, personalized plans, home communication, and more. In addition, the 2-pager summary has been updated to reflect the changes to ISASP.
Access the FAQ and the updated summary on the Department’s Mathematics Instruction webpage.
For additional questions, please contact Greg Feldmann at greg.feldmann@iowa.gov or Melissa Carlson at melissa.carlson@iowa.gov,
The literacy and mathematical risk status calculations used by Student Success will be changing to better align with legislative language. Once a student is persistently at risk (PAR), their status will stay PAR until they are at/above benchmark on two consecutive screening windows. This change will occur over the summer and should be in place by the end of August 2026. The updated calculations may result in changes from the student’s spring risk status when they return in the fall. More information can be found in this Panorama article.
Important: Schools are strongly encouraged to verify student risk status in the fall since status may change for some students.
For questions, reach out to support_iowa@panoramaed.com.
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Renaissance Learning has notified the Department that the updated benchmarks and norms for the 2026–2027 school year will not be released as scheduled. An anticipated release in the middle of August will allow additional time for the psychometrics team to complete validation of the updated norms. Once released, schools that utilize the FastBridge math tools will need to update local resources and support to match the new benchmarks and norms.
For questions, reach out to support_iowa@panoramaed.com.
The Flexibility Formula professional learning will continue next year, focusing on building strong foundations in mathematics instruction through flexible, educator-centered learning. The core learning includes approximately 10 hours of content, with pathways designed for PK–2, grades 3–6, and a Coaches Edition.
Participants engage in a cycle with four modules: understanding early numeracy, observing students engaging in early numeracy, connecting early numeracy to other mathematical concepts and home, and experiencing early numeracy. This cycle supports both individual learning and implementation in real classrooms. The flexible structure includes asynchronous learning and opportunities to engage in deeper learning as a school community through individual reflection, professional learning community discussion questions and learning experiences.
The Iowa Department of Education mathematics team will be providing optional one-hour virtual sessions for instructional leaders to support implementation of the Flexibility Formula. Commit to continuous growth in mathematics teaching by engaging with these opportunities.
One-hour Zoom sessions for Instructional Leaders from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Zoom Link: Join the Flexibility Formula Implementation Support Zoom
- September 21, 2026
- October 19, 2026
- November 16, 2026
- December 21, 2026
- January 19, 2027
- February 15, 2027
- March 15, 2027
- April 19, 2027
- May 17, 2027
For questions, contact April Pforts at april.pforts@iowa.gov.
Strengthen mathematics instruction through Illustrative Mathematics (IM) Certified Professional Learning designed to build educators’ knowledge of mathematics content, pedagogy, and the connection between the two. Developed by nationally recognized Illustrative Mathematics, these curriculum-based professional learning opportunities support educators in effectively using IM’s high-quality instructional materials and are part of Iowa’s ongoing commitment to ensuring all students develop strong mathematical foundations.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities:
K–5 Teach & Learn: September 1–2, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
6–12 Teach & Learn: September 9–10, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
K–5 Administrators & Coaches: September 29, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
6–12 Administrators & Coaches: September 30, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Please continue to register even if a session is full. Your registration will help us gauge demand and determine locations and needs for the next round of professional learning opportunities.
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New Teacher. Bright Future. We're Here to Help!
The ICTM Marilyn Zweng Teacher Grant supports Iowa educators in their first mathematics teaching position. Full-time teachers are eligible for a $500 grant, and part-time teachers are eligible for a $300 grant. Only 15 grants are available to help new mathematics teachers with classroom and professional expenses.
Applications due August 20. Learn more and apply at iowamath.org/MZ-Grant today. Invest in yourself. Invest in your students.
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Planning to attend the ICTM Annual Conference? ICTM is offering two conference grants of up to $400 each to help members offset registration and travel expenses, including transportation, lodging, and meals (up to $25 per day). These grants are designed to support educators as they strengthen instructional practices and improve student mathematics achievement.
Applications are due August 31. Learn more about the eligibility requirements and apply today!
https://www.iowamath.org/ICTM-Grants
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 Kristin Grotewold and Tamara Bane will lead monthly Zoom meetings around the 8 Effective Teaching Practices on the second Monday of each month from 8:30–9:30 a.m.
2026–27 Schedule:
- September 14 – Beliefs Around Teaching & Learning Mathematics
- October 12 – Implement Tasks That Promote Reasoning and Problem Solving
- November 9 – Establish Math Goals to Focus Learning
- December 14 – Use and Connect Mathematical Representations
- January 11 – Pose Purposeful Questions
- February 8 – Facilitate Meaningful Mathematical Discourse
- March 8 – Build Procedural Fluency from Conceptual Understanding
- April 12 – Support Productive Struggle in Learning Mathematics
- May 10 – Elicit and Use Evidence of Student Thinking
Guest speakers throughout the year include Graham Fletcher, John SanGiovanni, Dr. Raj Shah, Mike Flynn, Kevin Dykema, Chase Orton, and more!
New to the Network? Email Kristin at kgrotewold@waukeeschools.org or Tamara at tbane@winterset.k12.ia.us to be added to the list and receive the Zoom link. Kristin is the current president of the Iowa National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (IA-NCSM), Tamara is the current president of the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM), and together they host the Sum Kind of Math Podcast.
 Registration is now open for two featured pre-conference workshops at the ICTM 2026 Fall Conference: Math Counts. Period., celebrating ICTM’s 60th Anniversary!
Monday, October 19, 2026 | FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny
K–5: Foundations of Numerical Reasoning: Building Fluency that Scales Across the Grades with Graham Fletcher — Develop students’ numerical reasoning and strengthen mathematical fluency.
Grades 6–12: Developing Mathematical Reasoning with Pam Harris — Help students build mathematical reasoning and deepen conceptual understanding.
Learn from two nationally recognized mathematics educators. Sign up today! Registration and conference information: https://www.iowamath.org
 Join mathematics educators from across Iowa for the 2026 Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) Fall Math Conference: Math Counts. Period., celebrating ICTM’s 60th Anniversary!
October 19–20, 2026 | FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny, Iowa
The conference begins Monday, October 19, with pre-conference learning opportunities, followed by the ICTM Fall Conference on Tuesday, October 20.
Connect, learn, and leave inspired through sessions designed for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, higher education faculty, and other mathematics education leaders. Explore practical strategies, engaging tasks, and ideas that support high-quality mathematics teaching and learning.
Register today and join us in celebrating 60 years of ICTM! Conference information: https://www.iowamath.org
Looking for a quick, practical way to stay connected to mathematics teaching and learning in Iowa?
Check out the Sum Kind of Math Podcast hosted by Iowa mathematics instructional coaches Tamara Bane and Kristin Grotewold. Through short, approximately 10-minute episodes, they share reflections, insights, and conversations about the work happening in mathematics classrooms across the state.
Designed to be bite-sized, down-to-earth, and genuinely useful, the podcast explores topics such as screeners and progress monitoring, automaticity, numeracy, and the math dichotomy—all through the lens of supporting students and educators.
Whether you're a teacher, coach, administrator, or mathematics enthusiast, the Sum Kind of Math Podcast offers an easy way to stay informed and inspired.
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Looking for past updates? Previous Mathematics Update newsletters are available and provide access to resources, professional learning opportunities, and important announcements shared throughout the year. These newsletters can be a helpful way to revisit key information and stay connected to ongoing mathematics work across the state. Be sure to scroll down on the page.
Have new educators (teachers, coaches, administrators) joined your district/school? Help them sign up for the Mathematics Update newsletter!
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