Evaluator III Training Course: Assessing Academic Rigor

Last week many of you received information about training for a course to be included in Evaluator III called “Assessing Academic Rigor”. Included in that information was an application to become a trainer for this two-credit course that is required for all administrators as a part of Evaluator III.

Evaluator III will be different from our past experiences with Evaluator Approval Training. Click here for the course description and here for the requirement page. Assessing Academic Rigor is the only required course. (It is a two credit course.) There will be additional optional courses offered. You will be required to take a total of four credits, Assessing Academic Rigor and an additional course from the list of options.

In a communication provided to AEA Educational Services Directors, it appears that members of the Evaluator III committee will make decisions about applications and trainers. Our understanding is that there will be 40 people statewide who will be selected to attend the training on July 6 and 7, 2010, and then will be expected to teach the “Assessing Academic Rigor” course during the 2010-11 school year. How those 40 will be distributed for AEAs and UENs will be determined by the members of the Evaluator III committee.

When we find out how many trainers there will be in AEA 11 and who they are, we will be scheduling sessions of Assessing Academic Rigor during the 2010-11 school year. Sessions of the additional courses will be scheduled when training becomes available.

The intent of the Evaluator III committee is to have pairs of trainers teach the courses. These pairs would consist of one individual with building or district level administrative experience and one individual with a background in the provision of professional development. If you are aware of any retired administrators who might be interested, please feel free to forward the application.

If you are interested in applying, the application (including expectations for training) is attached here. Heartland AEA is not involved in the decision-making process. Contact information for the committee selecting the trainers is included on the application.

DE Guidance on Special Education Services in Difficult Budgetary Times

Click here for a document sent by Thomas Mayes of the DE. As schools look for ways to save money, this document will remind districts of certain parameters imposed by federal and state special education laws. It has previously been distributed and is currently posted on the DE’s special education page under the “State Guidance” tab.

It is essential that public agencies govern themselves by the principles set forth in the document. Please contact Thomas Mayes at Thomas.Mayes@iowa.gov if you have any questions.

School Nutrition Association summer classes offered

Is your school food-service personnel aware of the new Level I Certification requirements with the School Nutrition Association? If not, your staff should consider attending two SNA-approved classes that focus on Nutrition Education and the Sanitation and Safety obligations. “Food Safety and Sanitation” and “School Food Service Nutrition 101” will be offered via the ICN June 22-24, 2010. Presenter, Ann Feilmann, will cover topics including methods of safe food-handling, sanitation and current nutrition requirements. Click here for more information on these summer courses. Registration is due by June 8, 2010.

Questions can be directed to Cheryl Little at Cheryl.Little@iavalley.edu.

Heartland AEA Facility Update

As previously communicated, Heartland AEA will close the Agency’s Woodside office in Ankeny effective June 30, 2010. Staff members previously assigned to the Woodside office, including Regions 8 & 13, assistive technology and Shelter Care Program administrative staff, will move to the Agency’s Regional Education Center at 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston. The sound booth currently located at the Woodside office will also be moved to the Johnston REC. The closure of the Woodside office reduces the amount of funds spent on facilities and the overall square footage footprint of the Agency.

Heartland also continues to pursue a new location for the Agency's Newton Regional Education Center, and it is hoped that a final relocation will be completed by August 2010.

If you have any questions about these Heartland facility project, please contact Steve Prall, Chief of Operations, at sprall@aea11.k12.ia.us or (800) 362-2720.

Heartland AEA Regional Summer Office Hours

Click here for a schedule of summer office hours for Heartland AEA's regional offices.

Enhancing Collaboration, Enriching Student Outcomes

This course is designed for general and special education teachers who currently, or plan to, engage in collaboration. The focus of the class will include: the continuum of service delivery options for meeting student needs, refining the planning process to ensure effective service delivery, matching appropriate service delivery methods to student needs, the consultative process, academic engagement, effective differentiated instruction, planning and scheduling.

This class is designed for teacher teams and will include opportunities for teaming. Administrator attendance is welcome, as administrative support helps to facilitate successful collaboration. Teams are expected to bring curricular materials to plan a lesson or unit based on the instructional needs of their learners. If participants have access to current district/student data (ITBS/ITEDs, IEP goal data, classroom data), please bring these materials as well. Feel free to contact Cheryl Risen at (515) 270-9030 ext. 14587 with any questions.

Dates/Time: June 21 and 23 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Stoney Creek Inn, John Deere Room
5291 NW 84th St.
Johnston, IA

Registration is due June 7, 2010.

To register, go to the Professional development course catalog on the Heartland AEA website at https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/YYYYYYYYYYYYYYSRCH.
Activity Number: DL004199991101

Be a Presenter at the ICLC Conference, November 1-3

Be a part of the 25th Annual Iowa Culture and Language Conference. If you are interested in becoming a presenter, visit the ICLC website at http://www.nwaea.k12.ia.us/en/upcoming_events/iowa_culture_language_conference/ and submit the “Call for Proposal” forms by August 5, 2010. Next year's conference will be held November 1-3, 2010 and will be located at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

YouthBiz linked to Iowa Core Curriculum and 21st Century Skills

The University of Iowa has developed YouthBizCentral, an online entrepreneurship curriculum tied to the Iowa Core Curriculum and 21st Century Skills. Teachers can purchase a 2010-11 classroom license for $250. The license includes one teacher account and up to 25 student licenses. Carl Perkins funding can be used to purchase a classroom license for the YouthBizCentral curriculum.

YouthBizCentral Online Curriculum
YouthBizCentral is a comprehensive ,online entrepreneurship curriculum that enables educators to teach the “entrepreneurial mindset,” encouraging creativity, innovation, critical thinking and problem-solving—and also equipping students with the skills necessary to excel in the worlds of business and entrepreneurship.

Developed by the Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship at The University of Iowa, YouthBizCentral boasts the following features:
• Online/Easily accessible www.youthbizcentral.org
• Tied to: National Entrepreneurship Standards and Iowa Core Curriculum & 21st Century Skills
• Eight fully customizable core units:Lesson Plans, PowerPoint Presentations, Activities & Web Resources, Entrepreneurial profiles
• Assessment tool
• Student Business Planning Template
• Equips youth with the skills to succeed in: Starting their own business and Leading existing organizations

Track Record
Over 100 Iowa teachers piloted the YouthBizCentral curriculum in their classrooms: YouthBizCentral Pilot (2009, N=454)
• Pre- and post- student assessment results
• Teacher feedback

Demo the Curriculum: Log-in Instructions
Visit www.youthbizcentral.org
Your e-mail address – youthbiz
Your password – demo

Purchase a 2010-2011 License
Fee: $250 includes one teacher license and 25 student licenses (Eligible for purchase with Perkins funds) Regions interested in purchasing several teacher licenses should contact Dawn Bowlus for pricing information.

Purchase via AEA direct purchasing or Purchase Order. (Be sure to indicate teacher name and school)

Checks should be written to:

Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship
The University of Iowa
108 PBB Suite S160
Iowa City, IA 52245

For More Information
Contact: Dawn Bowlus at dawn-bowlus@uiowa.edu or (319) 335-0985

First Annual Dreams Made True Pageant

Dreams Made True, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of girls with special needs, ages 5-25, and providing their families the opportunity to connect with and learn from each other. These young ladies will have the chance to unite and showcase their unique abilities during the first annual Dreams Made True pageant on July 23-24, 2010 in Carroll, Iowa. Click here for more information.

Superintendents: May HAA Minutes

Click here for the minutes from the May HAA meeting. The minutes and handouts are also posted on Heartland's Web site in the Heartland Networks link under the Leaders tab, http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/leaders/ldr/admin.html.

Reading Recovery Training Scholarships

The Reading Recovery Center of Iowa will be awarding scholarships for teachers training in Reading Recovery. Applications are due June 15, 2010. Click here for the application and here for training information.

For information, contact Sue Hayes, Heartland AEA Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, at shayes@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Crisis Planning Project at Heartland AEA

Crafting a crisis action plan in the midst of a crisis is not successful. Will your district be ready when disaster strikes? The Crisis Planning Project at Heartland AEA is an opportunity for schools to review their current plans with an eye on refinement and inclusion of current issues and best practice. Click here for information about this 2010-11 professional development opportunity.

Library Spotlight: Book Rotation

K-8 teachers can sign up for rotation for the 2010-2011 school year. A box of 30 grade-appropriate fiction and nonfiction books will be sent to the classroom about every five weeks. It's a great resource to supplement the school library and generate some excitement when the new box arrives! Click here, then click the hyperlink under Book Rotation to register.

Frequently Asked Questions on Race to the Top

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions regarding Iowa's second application proposal for Race to the Top.

Summer Van Delivery

During the summer (June 11 through August 5), the Heartland vans will deliver twice a week to each district administration building. If you have summer school, professional development programs or intercessions and you would like regularly scheduled deliveries to additional buildings, please e-mail Sherise Ahlers at sahlers@aea11.k12.ia.us. Regular fall van delivery will resume Monday, August 9, 2010. Heartland will contact the district to arrange for special delivery of large printing orders during the summer.

Complete 2010 District Administrator Survey

This message is a gentle reminder to please complete our annual District Administrator Survey. We send this survey each spring to school administrators to evaluate Heartland's successes and areas for improvement. The survey link was sent via email to each school/district administrator in the Heartland area on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Thank you in advance for your participation in our continuous improvement efforts!

AEA Summer Online Courses

The AEA system now offers online courses for Iowa educators. Go to the AEA Summer Online Courses link below to view and register for professional development courses.

http://www.iowalearns.org/AEApd.cfm

Reminder: Funding for Title III Placement and Screening Exams

Click here for a letter dated August 28, 2009 from Kevin Fangman, Iowa Department of Education, referencing screening and testing of ESL students. As stated in this letter, Title III funds may not be used to pay for placement or screener exams (e.g., IPT or LAS). It is very important, however, that your district continues to use one of these testing instruments to identify students in need of ESL services. As referenced in the letter, Heartland AEA 11 will no longer be able to provide either of these screening instruments.

Your district may purchase the IPT from Ballard & Tighe, or the LAS from McGraw-Hill. If you have questions about ordering the IPT, please contact Pat Latham at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14681. You may choose either the IPT or LAS instrument to use as your placement exam.

If you have questions, please contact Pat Latham (contact information above) or Stephaney Jones-Vo at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14680. If you have concerns, please contact the Iowa Department of Education Title III consultant, John Scott, at (515) 281-3805.

Iowa Core Update

The Heartland Iowa Core team received clarification and answers to several questions that were raised during the April Leadership for the Iowa Core training sessions. For more information, contact Linda Biermann Hoobin, lhoobin@aea11.k12.ia.us.

1. The first response is related to questions about fields that were proposed to be added to the EdInfo site for implementation plan submission. Only one new field will be added this year. It will be “Evidence of Progress.” Page 55 of the Iowa Core Self-Study and Implementation Plan handbook provides the definition of evidence of progress. It states, “Describe what evidence will be used to show progress related to the outcome and related targets/actions. Depending on the outcome and the desired results, the evidence will be gathered and organized at the district, building, and/or classroom level. This evidence will be an extension of the data considered when the Self-Study was conducted and should expand on what is already known about the district in relation to the outcome(s) and related target/actions. It is important that there is continuity between outcomes, targets/actions and the data used to establish priorities and the evidence that is used to effectively chart progress and make appropriate adjustments to the work. The original evidence serves as the basis for monitoring the progress of the Implementation Plan as the activities are conducted. Evidence may include a combination of student data, data related to staff engagement and implementation, documents and artifacts demonstrating parent involvement and/or community involvement. If nothing will be initiated in the way of planning and/or implementation for an outcome until sometime after July 1, 2010, include a statement to that effect and refer to the target date for startup.” The Evidence of Progress field is slated to be added to EdInfo by May 1, 2010. The state network team will discuss “indicators of success” during the 2010-11 school year.

2. From the state network team, a response to a question about specially accredited schools. “Specially accredited” schools (those that do not have to do a CSIP or an APR) do not have to complete an implementation plan.

3. Iowa Core teams across the state have been asked to encourage districts not to use the term “ongoing” in their implementation plans; instead, consider using benchmarks in the timeline.

4. New information: Please delete the word “curriculum” and only use “Iowa Core”. A new logo has been developed.

5. Registration is still open for Heartland’s AEA 11 Summer Institute for Effective Instruction to be held at Johnston High School, June 15-17, 2010. The Institute will focus on actions from outcome 6 of the Iowa Core, including developing and sustaining collaborative teams and exploring the characteristics of effective instruction as identified in the Iowa Core. Register on the Heartland Professional Development Catalog on our website at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us. Enter activity number IS013932311101 in the correct field.

See what the Heartland AEA Print & Production Services can do for you!

Although the Heartland AEA Print & Production services have undergone some changes in the past year, we would like to reassure you that the Agency is still able to provide printing, production and graphic design services for all public and accredited non-public schools in the Heartland area. Check out the array of services we offer by going to the Print & Production quick link on the front page of our newly redesigned website at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us.

You may also click here to download our new booklet, A Guide to Heartland AEA Print & Production Services. The booklet details the many print and production services Heartland AEA provides. Please share this booklet with appropriate staff members. Hard copies of the booklets can be requested by e-mailing production@aea11.k12.ia.us.

To place an order for our services, we still ask that school personnel complete request forms. All forms are available for download from the Print & Production section of our website. Paper copies of our forms can be requested by contacting the Print Center at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14412 or printcenter@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Thank you for your past support of our Print & Production services, and we look forward to fulfilling your needs in the future.

Invitation to Heartland AEA Retirement Reception

Click here for an invitation to a retirement reception being held May 21, 2010 for Heartland AEA retirees. Those being honored at the reception are the following

• Gayle Bortz, Speech-Language Pathologist (Knoxville office)
• Marlys Jordan, Agency Liaison School Social Worker (Johnston office)
• Jill Miller, Speech-Language Pathologist (Johnston office)
• Mary Tighe, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant (Guthrie Center office)

We'd be honored if you would join us in celebrating these retirees!