Mathematics Instruction

Math Counts Act Implementation

In the coming days and weeks, the Iowa Department of Education (Department) will be sharing new tools to help schools strengthen K–6 math instruction under the Math Counts Act (HF 784). These resources will support schools using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), ensuring that all students receive timely, targeted and standards-aligned instruction. New tools and information will be added to this webpage as they become available.

Mathematics Professional Learning for K-6 Educators

Flexible Registration—Educators Can Begin Anytime

The Iowa Department of Education is providing professional learning aligned with the goals of House File 784 (HF 784), which prioritizes high-quality instruction in early numeracy at no cost for all educators in grades K-6. Build Math Minds — The Flexibility Formula (266.55 KB) .pdf provides an overview of the components of professional learning, including asynchronous modules and opportunities to dig deeper in synchronous virtual sessions. 

This professional learning series is designed to strengthen mathematics instruction by building fluency and deepening educators' conceptual understanding. Developed by nationally recognized mathematics educator Christina Tondevold, The Flexibility Formula supports teachers in helping all students develop a strong foundation in number sense. 

This professional learning opportunity is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that all Iowa students develop strong mathematical foundations. Additional support will be provided for schools identified for comprehensive support. 

For any questions, contact April Pforts at april.pforts@iowa.gov. 
 

Register for Build Math Minds

Approved Early Mathematics Assessments

To support early identification and targeted instruction, the Iowa Department of Education has published a vetted list of mathematics screening and progress monitoring tools for students in grades K–6. These tools meet the technical requirements outlined in House File 784 and are designed to support local implementation of MTSS. Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, all districts must administer an approved screener three times annually and use an approved progress-monitoring tool.

2025-26 Approved Early Mathematics Assessments (286.53 KB) .pdf

Iowa Math Counts Act (House File 784) (15:31) - Video explaining the requirements for screening, progress monitoring and interventions under the Iowa Math Counts Act (HF 784). The video also addresses common questions.

Early Literacy and Mathematics: Assessment and Intervention (169.93 KB) .pdf - Iowa Code 279.68, as amended by House File 2618 and House File 784, promotes effective assessment, instruction, and intervention practices to support all students to become proficient in reading and mathematics. Taken together, these separate requirements are combined into a common set of assessment, intervention and decision-making practices.   

Example Parent/Guardian Letter (12.74 KB) .docx - House File 784 promotes collaboration with families to support students in becoming proficient in mathematics. The example parent/guardian letter provides schools with an example of initial parent/guardian notification.

Personalized Mathematics Plan

House File 784 requires the development of a personalized mathematics plan for any K–6 student identified as “persistently at risk” in mathematics. The Department has developed a statewide template and technical assistance document to support educators in designing targeted, data-informed plans that address the individual needs of students. Plans should include clear instructional goals, research-based strategies, and a progress monitoring system. Plans also ensure ongoing communication with families and provide scaffolds to maintain access to grade-level content. 

Model Personalized Mathematics Plan: HF 784 Technical Assistance (1.37 MB) .docx

Iowa Comprehensive State Mathematics Plan

By House File 784, the Iowa Department of Education developed the Iowa Comprehensive State Mathematics Plan (CSMP) (811.68 KB) .pdf to increase mathematics proficiency statewide. The Executive Summary (155.16 KB) .pdf highlights Year 1 priorities and outlines the key goals, action steps, and outcomes that will guide implementation beginning in the 2025–26 school year. The plan outlines a multi-year vision focused on four key goals: strengthening universal instruction, improving interventions, supporting teacher preparation, and expanding stakeholder engagement. The CSMP serves as a roadmap for continuous improvement in mathematics education and provides aligned resources, actions, and timelines for schools, AEAs, and educator preparation programs.

Mathematics Teacher Preparation Workbook

This workbook supports Iowa’s efforts to prepare effective mathematics educators. It aligns with:

• HF 784 (Iowa’s educator preparation requirements)
• Iowa’s Comprehensive State Mathematics Plan
• Iowa Academic Standards for Mathematics
• National frameworks, including:
  • NCTM’s Principles to Actions and Standards
  • The Mathematical Education of Teachers (MET) II
  • AMTE’s Standards for Preparing Teachers of Mathematics

It helps implement HF 784 by:

• Integrating mathematics methods coursework
• Building teacher candidate skills in number sense, learning progressions, conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application
• Supporting the use of high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials

This collaborative resource reflects Iowa’s commitment to preparing confident, capable, and well-supported mathematics educators who can deliver rigorous, standards-aligned instruction to all students.

Mathematics Teacher Preparation Workbook (385.69 KB) .pdf

• Appendix 1: Program Self-Analysis/Phase 1 (59.15 KB) .docx
• Appendix 2: Curriculum Map (60.06 KB) .docx
• Appendix 4: Principles, Standards and Expectations (310.19 KB) .pdf

High-Quality Instructional Materials Statewide Contracts

In response to requests from instructional leaders across Iowa and the needs of schools, the Department conducted a request for proposals to identify and establish statewide contracts with negotiated pricing for high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) aligned with Iowa’s academic standards for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics. To learn more and access the contract numbers, see the High-Quality Instructional Materials Statewide Contracts for English Language Arts and Mathematics (141.08 KB) .pdf document. Note that this purchasing list is not an “approved list.” 

Mathematics Teaching Endorsements

In Iowa, teacher licensure is handled by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. For the requirements for teaching endorsements in mathematics, use the following links:

• K-8 Mathematics
• 5-8 Algebra for H.S. Credit
• 5-8 Middle School Mathematics
• 5-12 Mathematics
• 5-12 Basic Mathematics

Board of Educational Examiners spreadsheet listing subject/course BEDS codes and the endorsements that permit you to teach them.

Laws & Regulations

• Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.5(3) describes mathematics instruction at grade levels 1–6.
• Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.5(4) describes mathematics instruction at grade levels 7–8.
• Iowa Administrative Code 281-12.5(5) describes mathematics instruction at grade levels 9–12.

Contacts