Friday, November 22, 2013

Superintendents: December 3 HAA Meeting

The next HAA meeting will be held from 9:00-11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3 in Rooms 13 A & B of the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). As there is no Administrator Connection next week, the agenda will be emailed to superintendents before the meeting.

Curriculum Network: December 6 Meeting

The next Curriculum Network meeting will be held on Friday, December 6 in Rooms 13 A & B of the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) and will begin at 8:30 a.m. The agenda and handouts will soon be posted on the Curriculum Network Google Site.

Busteed to Focus on Gallup Research and “Economics of Human Development," Feb. 4

After decades of focus on standardized testing and school accountability, American schools still trail much of the world on international measures of student performance. Amidst a time of globalization, disruptive technology and new demands in the workforce, are we educating our students in the right way?

Learn what Gallup research has to say about the “economics of human development,” and what should become a New Bill of Rights for All Students. Brandon Busteed, Executive Director of Gallup Education, will take you through a whirlwind of the most important research informing how we can get our education system back on the path to winning again. Gallup’s insights will change everything you think you know about education.

February 4, 2014
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston REC, Rooms 13A & B
Audience: Superintendents, principals, district administrators and curriculum directors. It will be a great opportunity for superintendents or principals to bring in school teams.
Activity Number: AD015292111401

Additionally, Mr. Busteed will hold a presentation for superintendents during the Heartland Administrators’ Association Meeting that morning.

Learn more about Mr. Busteed here.

Community of Practice for Iowa Fine Arts Teachers

All Iowa fine arts teachers are invited to join in a Creative Community of Practice starting December 11 and offered jointly by AEA PD Online and Prairie Lakes AEA.

This blend of onsite and online workshops will create a community of practicing art teachers interested in elevating the value of creative thinking in our schools. Together they will explore and create ways to integrate creativity into the learning experience of all students- and make it a valued component of all content areas as students move to more authentic tasks and relevant performance indicators.

Click here for more information.

ICLC Reimbursement Form Due Nov. 29

If your district had participants attend the Iowa Culture and Language Conference and Preconference November 11-13, please complete the claim form attached in the Administrator Connection blog and return it via the Heartland AEA van mail by November 29, 2013 to the following:

Pat Latham, ESL Consultant
Heartland AEA Adel Office
Van Route # 1.13

TLC Grant Planning Workshop, Dec. 2

The next Teacher Leadership and Compensation System Grant Planning Workshop will be Monday, December 2, 2013. The workshops are full, but new districts can attend via Adobe Connect. You may access the Google Site with directions to connect with Adobe Connect, agendas, planning tools and other guidance by clicking here.

State Report Shows Inconsistencies in Reading Instruction

Click here for a report released Wednesday by the Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC). The report shows inconsistencies in literacy instructional practices in Iowa schools, which may be contributing to stagnant reading trends reported among Iowa’s students for the past several years.

About the Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC)
The Iowa Reading Research Center’s purpose is to apply current research for the development of literacy across Iowa. The IRRC is action-oriented and initiatives include reading assessments, data reporting system, evidence-based interventions and teaching strategies, early literacy framework, summer reading program, professional learning, and parent resources and information. Please visit www.iowareadingresearch.org.

Schools Recognized for Reducing Gaps in Achievement Among Students

Congratulations to Carroll High School and Northeast Elementary (Ankeny) two of six schools from across the state honored by the State Board of Education for significant progress in closing gaps in student achievement.

The Breaking Barriers to Teaching and Learning Award was created by the State Board of Education. Each year, the award recognizes successful efforts to eliminate achievement gaps among students who face challenges. This year’s award-winners were recognized for having the highest proficiency rates statewide in math and reading among a specific subgroup of students, such as students who do not speak English as their native language and students from low-income backgrounds. Data from three years were examined to confirm a positive trend for each school.

The schools that met this criteria include:

  • Kennedy High School, Cedar Rapids: Latino students (92.3 percent proficiency rate in reading and mathematics; statewide average for this subgroup is 58.8 percent).
  • Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls: African American students (84.7 percent proficiency rate in reading and mathematics; statewide average for this subgroup is 46.3 percent).
  • South Tama County Elementary, Tama: Native American students (75.8 percent proficiency rate in reading and mathematics; statewide average for this subgroup is 59.3 percent).
  • Carroll High School, Carroll: Low socioeconomic status (86.4 percent proficiency rate in reading and math; statewide average for this subgroup is 61.3 percent).
  • Northeast Elementary, Ankeny: Students on Individualized Education Programs (75.8 percent proficiency rate in reading and mathematics; statewide average for this subgroup is 32.3 percent).
  • Lenox Elementary School, Lenox: English language learners (86.4 percent proficiency rate in reading and math; statewide average for this subgroup is 42.6 percent).
Interviews with school principals revealed a common thread between the honored schools: the use of evidence-based practices, a staff-wide commitment, high expectations and substantial teacher collaboration. Reducing the achievement gap is one of the State Board of Education’s top priorities.

Quick Pitch Biz Competition for Business-Minded High School Students

The Jacobson Institute for Youth Entrepreneurship is running a Quick Pitch Biz Competition for high school students in grades 9-12. Students don't need a business background or existing business.  All they need is an idea to compete!

Competitors need:

  • Motivation
  • Passion
  • Good idea
  • Read about past competitors
Students can compete using a new or existing business/invention/innovation idea OR build off an innovation developed from an existing program.

Click here for more information. Deadline to submit Application and 1-page Executive Summary is Friday, November 29.