Students in Iowa will soon be learning the same math and Language Arts skills at the same time as kids in at least 29 other states. The State Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to adopt what's known as the Common Core State Standards. Iowa is the 30th state to adopt the standards meant to improve student achievement.
The new standards will outline what students must learn at each grade level. State education officials say the standards are in line with those the state was already preparing to implement -- called the Iowa Core Curriculum. In class, students will see more of an emphasis on reading a variety of material as well as thinking mathematically, said Iowa Department of Education Interim Director Kevin Fangman.
"When I look at the national core standards, I believe we can use those in our curriculum to guide the work but we can also be responsive to students and their needs, said Des Moines Schools' Interim Curriculum Director Jo Ellen Latham. She says the district anticipated the change and teachers looked to the national guidelines as they were updating standards this summer.
State officials say adopting the national standards will improve Iowa's chances of receiving federal grants. The new standards will take effect at all public schools starting in the 2014-2015 school year.
For more information, visit www.corestandards.org
The new standards will outline what students must learn at each grade level. State education officials say the standards are in line with those the state was already preparing to implement -- called the Iowa Core Curriculum. In class, students will see more of an emphasis on reading a variety of material as well as thinking mathematically, said Iowa Department of Education Interim Director Kevin Fangman.
"When I look at the national core standards, I believe we can use those in our curriculum to guide the work but we can also be responsive to students and their needs, said Des Moines Schools' Interim Curriculum Director Jo Ellen Latham. She says the district anticipated the change and teachers looked to the national guidelines as they were updating standards this summer.
State officials say adopting the national standards will improve Iowa's chances of receiving federal grants. The new standards will take effect at all public schools starting in the 2014-2015 school year.
For more information, visit www.corestandards.org
