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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.
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).
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: 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.
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.
The final module in the Flexibility Formula Coaching course is now posted! Learn from Christina Tondevold how to create meaningful experiential professional learning moments. These experiences help educators deepen their learning with the eight number sense concepts.
If you are registered for the Flexibility Formula, log in to see the new module available to you. If you are not registered, there is no time like the present! Join us on this learning journey by completing the Flexibility Formula registration form.
The Iowa Department of Education has created two new resources to support schools with the implementation of the Flexibility Formula professional learning.
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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
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.
Looking for opportunities to deepen your mathematics learning? Visit the Iowa Department of Education’s professional learning webpage for upcoming dates, registration information, and resources for teachers, coaches, and school leaders. Explore Illustrative Mathematics professional learning, Build Math Minds: The Flexibility Formula, and resources to support mathematics instruction.
Explore Mathematics Professional Learning
Bookmark the page and check back regularly for updates!
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 State University’s Program for Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) offers opportunities to help students explore STEM:
- Grades 7–10: Hands-on STEM conferences on Thursday, October 29 or November 5, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Students explore STEM majors and careers. Registration is $30 per student through October 15 and $35 beginning October 16.
- Grades 2–5: STEM Explorations evening camps on October 8 and November 13, from 5:30–7 p.m. on the ISU campus. Each camp costs $15, with dinner provided.
- Grades PK–12: Free Student Role Model visits bring ISU students and hands-on STEM activities to classrooms and events across Iowa. Contact rolemodels@iastate.edu to learn more.
For conference and camp registration assistance, contact Taylor Bryan at tbryan@iastate.edu. Please share these opportunities with educators and families!
To have an account created, email Taylor Bryan with the date you would like to attend.
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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 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:
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!
Help shape mathematics education in Iowa! The Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) is seeking nominations for:
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Four At-Large Representatives: Three-year terms open to any mathematics educator.
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President-Elect: A four-year commitment—one year as President-Elect, two as President, and one as Past President. Candidates should have prior ICTM board experience.
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Nominate a colleague or yourself! Elected candidates begin serving January 1, 2027. The nomination form includes details about board responsibilities and benefits.
Submit nominations by Friday, October 23, 2026.
Submit a Nomination | Read the Call for Nominations
Questions? Contact Stephanie Steines at ictmnomelec@gmail.com.
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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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