Iowa Core Curriculum - Implementation Planning FAQs

Periodically, the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Team will post some frequently asked questions in the Administrator Connection. The responses are based on the most current information available at the time. The questions in this edition are related to implementation planning.

What does it mean to “fully implement” the Iowa Core Curriculum?
Full implementation is accomplished when the school or district is able to provide evidence that an ongoing process is in place to ensure that each and every student is learning the Essential Concepts and Skill Sets of the Iowa Core Curriculum. A school that has fully implemented the Iowa Core Curriculum is engaged in an ongoing process of data-gathering and analysis, decision-making, identifying actions and assessing impact around alignment and professional development focused on content, instruction and assessment. The school is fully engaged in continuous improvement processes that specifically target improved student learning and performance.

What will an implementation plan look like?
A district/school’s implementation plan will resemble an action plan. It should address these components:

1. Outcome - from self study
2. Targets/Actions - from self study
3. Activities and resources to accomplish the target
4. Evidence of progress
5. Timeline
6. If needed, other district/school decided components (i.e, persons responsible, budget, etc.)

An example of an implementation plan will be shared with teams during the October Leadership Year Two, Day One Training Sessions. A template for an implementation plan can be found http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/icc/resources.html, under Self-Study and Implementation, then Implementation Planning Worksheet.

The contact person for Heartland’s Iowa Core Curriculum team is Linda Biermann Hoobin who can be reached at lhoobin@aea11.k12.ia.us.