Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.

Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

More on Microsoft Settlement

There has been more information released on the second round of the Microsoft settlement. 

1) The most important part of the update is that the amount of money available per student is $65.89. This is not the final figure, but can be used by buildings to make out their budget and their application as far as hardware and software items that can be reimbursed. As with the first settlement, this is a voucher program, and eligible schools purchase products that are eligible, and then send in vouchers and receipts to be reimbursed. The spreadsheet of eligible -- and ineligible -- products.

2) Some of this funding can be spent on software, and some on hardware. The two categories of funding are software vouchers, and general purpose vouchers which encompass both hardware and some software products. The amount per student that can be spent via software vouchers is $46.18, and the amount that can be spent via general purpose vouchers is $19.71. Remember that the focus of this funding is to improve literacy at the elementary level.

3) Remember also that funding is based on the number of students in a K-6 building. If your building is, say, a K-4 building, and it has 50 students in each grade, for a total of 250 students, your Microsoft settlement funding will be based on 350 students (7 grades of 50 students apiece).

4) The window for applying is available between now and December 19, so if you haven't started planning for how to spend these funds, it's time to get going!

More information, including a list of eligible schools and the number of students funded in each building, is available on the Iowa DE webpage.

Major Changes to E-Rate Program

As schools plan their budgets for 2015-16 and beyond, they should be aware of major changes in the federal E-rate program. The application windows for E-rate are already open, and will close in mid-spring, so if you are not familiar with these changes, you might want to review the “Top 10 List of E-rate Changes” below.

10) Many products and services that were discounted in the past will no longer receive funding, including mobile hot spots, data plans, web hosting, email and voicemail.

9) The discounts for other popular services, such as phone lines, will be phased out over the next 2-3 years.

8) More money is being made available for broadband within buildings. While details are still emerging, it appears many Iowa districts that have not qualified in the past for any networking equipment discounts will now do so.

7) Many schools that have been considered “rural” in the past are being reclassified as “urban.” If your county has a “population center” of 2,500 or more, you will likely be considered “urban.” It is important to note that urban schools generally get a smaller discount.

6) The discount scales -- tied to free and reduced rates -- have changed considerably, and they jump by increments of 10 or even 20%, as opposed to 1%. This means a relatively small number of students could make the difference between, say, a 50% discount and a 60% discount for your school.

5) Major changes are coming to the 470 and 471 forms that are used for E-rate applications.

4) Technology plans are no longer required for any aspect of applying for E-rate funding.

3) Schools that have signed a multi-year contract for tech services will have to provide less documentation after the initial year of review from the E-rate service.

2) Document retention of E-rate forms has been increased to 10 years.

1) The E-rate program is strongly considering adding $2 billion to the total funding available over the next two years, which would be focused on providing broadband access within schools (firewalls, routers, switches, wireless access points, etc.).

If you would like to learn more about these changes, and some strategies that will help your school maximize your E-rate discounts, contact Pam Jacobs, Iowa Dept. of Ed, or Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology.

Sun Smart U Curriculum to Increase Student Awareness of Skin Cancer

Iowa has one of the highest rates of skin cancer incidence in the U.S. today. Skin cancer is largely a lifestyle disease, and reaching students in middle school and high school is critical to affecting decisions that lead to the disease.

Sun Smart U is a free curriculum developed by the Skin Cancer Foundation to increase 6th to 12th grade students’ awareness of skin cancer and the importance of sun protection. Please share the site with teachers and students.

Chapter 62 Resources Now Available

This fall a variety of resources have been shared for implementation of Chapter 62. Many of these resources have been pulled into a Google Drive folder for easy access. It may be helpful to bookmark the link as additional resources will be added throughout the year. Some of the resources in the folder include: 

• DE Parent notification template and family partnership tools 
• DE guidance documents for Early Literacy Implementation 
• Q & A for Chapter 62, September 2014 
• Archived Zoom session facilitated by Heartland AEA on 11/3/2014

American Education Week Nov. 16-22, 2014: “Raise Your Hand for Student Success”

The National Education Association’s (NEA) 93rd annual American Education Week (AEW) presents all Americans with an opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring every child receives a quality education.

The theme of the 2014 American Education Week, “Raise Your Hand for Student Success,” reflects the Association’s calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century.

For more information about American Education Week, visit www.nea.org/aew.