Register today! HQIM Leadership Academy opens registration statewide

Don't miss your opportunity to join the HQIM Leadership Academy! The Iowa Department of Education has officially expanded registration for the next cohort of this premier learning opportunity to all Iowa district leadership teams. Any Iowa district that is looking to transform their foundation for instruction through the implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) is highly encouraged to register by Oct. 9.

The HQIM Leadership Academy is a two-year, intensive program that is provided at no cost to district teams. Through the academy, district teams engage in a structured learning opportunity that is designed to increase district capacity for identifying HQIM, support implementation and build educator knowledge. Members of the leadership academy will receive practical tools and protocols for collaborative planning, classroom observation and continuous improvement as well as access to a statewide peer network of district leaders for shared learning. Additionally, all district leadership teams will receive personalized support from the Department and other expert and national partners.

"Many Iowa districts are in the process of either planning or implementing high-quality instructional materials into their classrooms to help bolster learning, development and success for their students," said Tina Wahlert, administrator for the Division of PK-12 Learning at the Department. "The HQIM Leadership Academy is a valuable resource for leadership teams to learn best practices and find much-needed support. Through the academy, districts can ensure they are implementing high-quality instructional materials in their classrooms with integrity."

Teams participating in the leadership academy often include superintendents, district leaders, chief academic officers, curriculum directors, instructional leaders, principals, principal supervisors, literacy and mathematics leaders and other staff supporting HQIM implementation.
Districts can choose to participate in the literacy pathway, mathematics pathway or both to best align with their priority content areas for HQIM implementation. Both pathways are designed to build district capacity for high-integrity implementation of HQIM and to strengthen classroom instruction.

To join the leadership academy, districts must commit to attending all required HQIM Leadership Academy sessions, including two in-person sessions and three webinars. They must also complete the annual statewide HQIM survey and participate in periodic HQIM learning walks.

Iowa districts can now register for the literacy pathway and/or mathematics pathway online.

Additional information on the HQIM Leadership Academy can be found on the Department's HQIM webpage. Specific questions can be directed to Department team members Christi Donald at [email protected] or Darcie Kress at [email protected].