As schools nationwide move closer to formative assessments aligned with the Common Core, educators in Iowa – and even students in Newton – are helping to perfect and form that exam.

Last academic year’s switch from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills to the Iowa Assessment was the first step in a three-year process that will likely conclude in 2014-15 with the implementation of the computer-based Smarter Balanced assessment.

“Last year was the first year we switched to Iowa Assessments,” Tina Ross, Director of Secondary Educational Services for the Newton Community School District explained. “We went from ITBS to the Iowa Assessments, and that’s what we use for Adequate Yearly Progress for No Child Left Behind.”