Curriculum and Instruction

Iowa Core Academic Standards

Like all other schools in Iowa, ADM utilizes the Iowa Core, a set of standards designed to identify a baseline for instruction in kindergarten through 12th grade.  Use the following link to learn more about the Iowa Core.

Iowa Core Academic Standards                                                                

ADM Power Standards

Teachers at ADM review all standards in the Iowa Core and identify Power Standards for each course or subject instructed in our school system. At ADM, we refer to Power Standards a the “promises” that we make to our students about what they will learn. Collaborative teacher teams use the following four-part test to determine if a standard should be identified as a “Power Standard” at ADM:

• Endurance: Are students expected to retain the knowledge and skill associated with the standard beyond the unit and the course?
• Leverage: Will the student be able to apply the standard in more than one subject area?
• Next Level: Has this standard been identified as an essential prerequisite skill in the next course or grade level?
• Success on High-Stakes Exams: Is the standard a concept or skill that students are likely to encounter on state exams, college entrance exams, etc.?

Click on the database image below allows users to view all Iowa Core standards as well the identified as “Power Standards” at ADM.  Use the top filters to view the information by “curricular area”, “grade”, and “power status” to view AMD’s Power Standards.

ADM Power Standards Dashboard                 

Parent Rights and District Transparency

At ADM we strive to partner with parents in the education of their children. This includes providing transparency in the standards we teach. the instructional materials we use, and how parents can learn more information about what is occurring in the classroom. Below are key ADM Board policies that support parent’s rights related to classroom instructional materials and library books and materials used by in the district.

The Right to Review Classroom Instructional Materials: ADM Board Policy 605.2 allows parents of enrolled students or residents of the school district access to review instructional materials used in classrooms. Parents and residents are asked to use the following process to review instructional materials.

• Parents: Parents of enrolled students should contact their student’s teacher to request a review of instructional materials used in the classroom.
• Residents: Residents should contact the building principal to request a review of instructional materials used in the classroom.

The Right to Object and Ask for Reconsideration of Classroom Instructional Materials: Members of the ADM School District community may object to the instructional materials utilized in the district and ask for their use to be reconsidered. Instructional materials may include books, articles, outlines, handouts, videos, or other education material available to the student in the classroom. The procedures for raising objection to, or asking for reconsideration of, instructional materials or the manner in which they are being used is outlined in ADM Board Policy 605.03-R(1).

The Right to Opt-Out of Classroom Instructional Materials: ADM Board Policy 605.3 allows parents of enrolled students to request that a student be prohibited from accessing instructional materials used in classrooms. To opt a student out of instructional materials, a parent or guardian must complete the following form found in Board Policy 605.3E5

• Request to Prohibit A Student From Specific Instructional Materials

The Right to Access a List of ADM’s Library Books: ADM Board Policy 605.2 requires the district to publish a list of all books available to students in libraries operated by the school district. Parents and community members can use the following links to view ADM’s online library catalogs:

• Adel Elementary Online Card Catalog
• Meadow View Elementary Online Card Catalog
• DeSoto Intermediate Online Card Catalog
• ADM Middle School / High School Online Card Catalog

The Rights to Review Library Books and Library Materials: ADM Board Policy 605.2 allows parents of enrolled students or residents of the school district access to review library books and library materials. Parents and residents are asked to use the following process to library books and materials

• Parents: Parents of enrolled students should contact their student’s librarian to request a review of books or materials in the library. Library books or materials may be viewed on school district premises.
• Residents: Residents should contact the building principal to request a review of library books or materials in the library. .Library books or materials may be viewed on school district premises

The Right to Object to and Ask for Reconsideration of Library Books and Materials: Members of the ADM School District community may object to library books and materials utilized in the district and ask for their use to be reconsidered. The procedures for raising objection to, or asking for reconsideration of, instructional materials or the manner in which they are being used is outlined in ADM Board Policy 605.03-R(1).

The Right to Prohibit Access to Library Materials: ADM Board Policy 605.3 allows parents or guardians of students enrolled in the district the ability to request that their student not be able to check out certain library materials. ADM parents who would like to request that their student not check out certain library materials should complete the following form and submit it to ADM’s Superintendent at the District Administration Center, 215 North 11 St, Adel, IA 50003.

• Request to Prohibit A Student From Checking Out Specific Library Materials Form

Greg Dufoe

Superintendent
gregdufoe@admschools.org
515.993.4283 x1002

Travis Wilkins

Executive Director of Teaching and Learning and Communications
travis.wilkins@admschools.org
515.993.4283 x1011