One central component of a great school system is a clear set of rigorous, comprehensive standards so educators help all students achieve high goals. In Iowa, that effort is known as the Iowa Core. The Iowa Core represents the statewide academic standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do in mathematics, science, English language arts, and social studies. The Iowa Core also addresses 21st Century Skills: financial, civics, technology, health, and employability. These state standards provide Iowa students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders with a clear, common understanding of what students are expected to learn at every grade level, regardless of where they live. The standards establish what Iowa students need to learn, but not how to teach. Local schools and teachers continue to create lesson plans and tailor instruction to fit the needs of their students. In this annual report, the following topics on the state standards are presented: (1) area education agencies; (2) statewide content leadership teams and professional learning; (3) district resources; and (4) standards review process. [For the 2015 report, see ED561977.]