Iowa Core Curriculum: A paradigm shift in teaching, learning

Per Gov. Culver signing it into law on May 1, 2008, the Iowa Core Curriculum is a set of essential concepts and skills in literacy, math, science, social studies and 21st century learning skills -- including civic literacy, financial literacy, technology literacy, health literacy and employability skills -- that all Iowa students must know by the time they graduate from high school. When state officials refer to "core curriculum" now, they're meaning the content being taught to students, the instructional strategies teachers are using to relay it, and the assessment of all the components embedded throughout. All of these must be documented in the Iowa Core Curriculum.

Some question whether or not this is needed. But, in comparison to other states in the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress test, which is known as the nation's report card, Iowa has lost ground in student performance.

The Hawkeye state was also the lone hold out state for putting state educational standards and benchmarks in place.

"We had a philosophy in Iowa of believing that local control was the most important thing and that we had a history of quality in Iowa. What has happened at the state level, though, is a recognition that other states are now starting to pass us by," Kathy Elliott, Spencer's assistant superintendent, said. " ... I think there's also a recognition now, finally, that there needs to be some continuity across the state to hold us to high standards and to have rigorous levels of learning that are consistent from district to district -- so that when a student moves from one place to the next, they get the same kind of quality learning regardless of where they are in the state."

The Iowa Core Curriculum is research-based, student-centered and mandates teaching for understanding. Its call for an entire K-12 educational system being aligned to allow all students to get high skills is a big change in Iowa beliefs and philosophies.

"Back in the days when I was in school, we didn't assume that all kids would graduate from high school. So, 50 years ago, not everyone graduated," Elliott reflected. "Now, we know that kids are going to need strong skills. There's not going to be the same kind of jobs out there that don't require high skills. So, what the state is doing is we've always had this learning for some kids; it's just now being mandated that every student has it. ... So, the core curriculum is what every student gets."

In addition to the content areas of math, literacy, science and social studies covered, the Spencer Assistant Superintendent suggested making sure the five 21st century skills are incorporated into the system will pose a challenge.

"Where do you embed those," she asked rhetorically. "We can't add enough courses to fit those in, so we're going to have to embed those concepts into other courses."

The Iowa Core Curriculum's student engagement and learning focus also mark a shift from traditional teaching methods used. Instead of instructors serving as straight deliverers of information, they'll function as coaches or facilitators.

"The way instruction is going to look in the future is it's going to be much more student-centered and having kids involved with information up front with staff in figuring it out, and then them getting information they need to solve the problem. ... (This learning cycle) allows the students to be more engaged. But, it's a whole different mindset," Elliott said. "It's just not the way any of us learned how to teach. We all remember those professors who lectured at us, and we tend to teach the way we were taught. Changing people from the way they've taught for a number of years and having to redo that, first of all, there has to be some understanding why that needs to happen for the staff. And, even if they understand and buy in on the fly, doing it takes a lot of changing your brain to think how to do it differently."

While what is taught and how it's taught are important throughout the Iowa Core Curriculum, so are the assessments of both, along with the student learning of these concepts and skills. The student learning climate and resources available are also important parts to this higher-achieving educational equation.

"The resource piece in and of itself won't do it. But, you need to have curriculum resources that are up-to-date and that embed the instructional practices in the way that those are designed. We're really taking a close look at that as we select our resources," Elliott said. "Part of this goes back to (having) a student-centered classroom, where kids see the value and the purpose in learning this. They find it interesting and it engages them in this learning."

Spencer's authority in this, Elliott said she believes Iowa is headed in the right direction with its core curriculum.

"There are some people who think this is going to go away. I don't think that's going to happen," she said. "Because it's not just like this state's brainstorm that somebody had in isolation. It's really recognizing that there are a lot of states that have already started to do this work and are making some pretty good grounds for that. So, I think it's here to stay and it's just going to take some work to get it all put in place. But, we have several years -- from now until 2013 -- to do it."

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Vision for Implementing the Iowa Core Curriculum:

* Each and every K-12 student will learn the essential concepts and skill sets identified in the Iowa Core Curriculum for life in the 21st century.

* Each K-12 educator will embed the essential concepts and skill sets in rigorous and relevant instruction informed by ongoing formative assessment.

* Each and every educational leader will support and ensure an aligned system of curriculum, instruction and assessment focused on the Iowa Core Curriculum essential concepts and skill sets.

* The Iowa Department of Education, Area Education Agencies, local education authorities and collaborative partners will work together to provide the necessary systems of support to establish and sustain structures as needed for the essential concepts and skill sets, instruction and assessment.