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Keep Mathematics Leaders in the Know!
Have new educators—teachers, coaches, or administrators—joined your district or school? Forward this newsletter to them and encourage them to sign up for the Mathematics Update.
New Newsletter Focus for 2026–27
This year, the newsletter will focus on updates, resources, and opportunities in three key areas:
- Iowa Department of Education
- Student opportunities
- ICTM, IA-NCSM, NCTM and NCSM
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Looking for a Previous Issue?
View past Mathematics Update newsletters.
Previously Shared Resources
Revisit these resources from earlier issues, and check out the Mathematics Links in the upper-right corner for additional tools and information.
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The Iowa Department of Education has published a vision for mathematics instruction: “Every student is mathematically proficient, confident in problem-solving and prepared to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.” The Vision includes high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), balanced work on conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application, strong number sense in early grades, purposeful tasks that build reasoning, and timely interventions so that every student stays on a clear path to grade-level success. The Iowa Comprehensive State Mathematics Plan outlines a multi-year roadmap towards Iowa’s vision for mathematics instruction.
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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).
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The Iowa Department of Education has created two new resources to support schools with the implementation of the Flexibility Formula professional learning.
Flexibility Formula Facilitation Guide - A resource to support instructional leaders and coaches in implementing the Flexibility Formula professional learning.
Flexibility Formula Individual Reflection Workbook - A resource to help educators deepen their learning as they progress through the Flexibility Formula professional learning.
The Flexibility Formula professional learning will continue during the 2026–27 school 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 learning at 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 provide 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 will be held from 8:30–9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
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.
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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:
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.
K–5 Teach & Learn: October 12–13, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. |Location: Iowa City
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.
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
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Exceptional STEM educators throughout the state are making a difference every day by getting students ready for exciting careers that are in high demand. Their enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is shaping the future by equipping the next generation of Iowans.
Does that sound like a teacher you know? Nominate them today for the 2027 Iowa STEM Teacher Award!
The Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, in partnership with award sponsor Google, is pleased to recognize leadership and dedication that increases student interest in, and awareness of, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, through the Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program. The award is given to one licensed, full-time, PK-12 teacher from each of Iowa’s six STEM regions. Recipients receive $1,500 for their classroom and $1,500 for personal use.
For this award, a full-time teacher is defined as an educator who spends at least 75% of their working hours (approximately 30 hours, minimum) in the classroom–both virtually and in-person–interacting with students. Nominations for previous award recipients and self-nominations will not be accepted.
The deadline to submit nominations is September 30, 2026, at 4:59 p.m. CDT. Recipients will be announced in early 2027.
The nomination process is simple and open to everyone, including fellow teachers, school administrators, students, and parents. Visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/TeacherAward to learn more and submit your nomination.
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Explore exciting career pathways in data, risk, and analytics at Actuarial Cyence Day on November 5 in Ames. This event connects students and educators with Iowa State faculty and industry professionals to learn more about actuarial science and statistics majors.
Participants will gain insight into high-demand careers, competitive salaries, and opportunities for networking with professionals. Travel grant support may be available for eligible groups.
Contact Rahul Parsa to learn more and express interest in attending.
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 Audience: 7th-10th grade students who are interested in exploring STEM opportunities through hands-on activities at Iowa State University. Prepare students to step outside their comfort zone and learn about majors or careers they've never heard of before!
Cost:
Early registration: $30/student
Late registration: $35/student (effective 10/16)
When:
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, November 5
Time: 9:00 - 2:00 pm
Registration is now open for both conferences.
Have a WorldWiSE account? Register using the following links:
October 29
November 5
Please e-mail Taylor Bryan with the date you would like to attend to create an account!
 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 IA-NCSM, Tamara is the current president of the ICTM, and together they host the Sum Kind of Math Podcast.
 Registration is 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!
 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!
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 practical reflections and insights about mathematics teaching and learning across the state.
A few episodes to get you started:
Visit the Sum Kind of Math Facebook page to hear the latest episode and explore the full collection.
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Have new educators (teachers, coaches, administrators) joined your district/school? Help them sign up for the Mathematics Update newsletter!
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