CURRICULUM
A great school system begins with a clear and rigorous set of expectations, or standards, that educators help all students reach. In Iowa, those academic standards are known as the Iowa Core. The Iowa Core standards describe what students should know and be able to do from kindergarten through 12th grade in math, science, English language arts and social studies. The Iowa Core also sets learning goals for 21st Century skills in areas such as financial and technological literacy. The Iowa Core is a set of common expectations for school districts across the state. It is not a curriculum, so decisions about how to help students meet learning goals remain in the hands of local schools and teachers.
These clear, consistent standards can provide peace of mind to parents, teachers and other stakeholders who want students to have the best education possible. The Iowa Core sets appropriate expectations for all students, regardless of where they live or what school district they attend, and reflects the real-world knowledge and skills students need to graduate from high school prepared for college or to enter the workforce.
For more information about the Iowa Core Curriculum, please visit the Iowa Core Curriculum website.
High-Quality Instructional Materials
While the Iowa Core establishes what students should know and be able to do, local school districts determine how those standards are taught and achieved. To ensure that all students have access to meaningful, evidence-based learning experiences aligned to the Iowa Core, the Union Community School District uses High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) for both literacy and mathematics instruction.
HQIM are research-based resources that are carefully reviewed and selected to support strong student outcomes. These materials provide teachers with structured, engaging lessons that meet students where they are and help every learner reach grade-level expectations.
To learn more about the specific instructional materials we use, please visit the links below: