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 

I Have A Plan Iowa: Update and Training

There are many questions regarding the future of I Have A Plan Iowa® and career guidance in Iowa. Although there are decisions yet to be made, information regarding the current status is below. 

Please share this with counselors in your area and other interested parties.

Update for 2015-2016
The Iowa Department of Education received funding to continue to provide I Have A Plan Iowa® (IHAPI) at no-cost to districts through June 30, 2016. Iowa Code 279.61 (commonly referred to as the Student Curriculum Plan or the 8th grade plan) has not been rescinded. All Iowa students in 8th through 12th grade are expected to complete the grade level Required State Components. IHAPI trainings will be offered throughout the year. For more information, contact your AEA or Nancy Ankeny Hunt at the Iowa Department of Education.

Introducing a New Tool: The Student Success Plan
The Student Success Plan (SSP) is a new, flexible alternative to the Guideways. It provides an easy-to-use tool for students to complete the required components. Students can complete the steps in any order and educators can assign additional activities. Tracking of student progress is available through the Professional Center. To learn more, register to attend a training webinar. Register Now!

Looking Toward 2016-2017
The Secondary CTE Task Force has drafted recommendations that promote college and career readiness to ensure all students receive a high quality career planning experience. The recommendations will be finalized at a meeting in October 2015. Updates on the task force work can be found on their website.

If you have any questions, contact Nancy Ankeny Hunt, Education Consultant, Iowa Department of Education, at (515) 725-0436.

Instructional Strategist II Class B Fee Waiver Approved by BoEE

The Board of Educational Examiners has agreed to waive the processing fee for individuals who were teaching students with significant intellectual disabilities for the 2014-15 school year and will be teaching students with significant intellectual disabilities for the 2015-16 school year under a Class B license.

To request the processing fee be waived, submit the "Request to Waive Processing Fee" document with the Class B application. A school administrator will need to complete the document to be included with the application.

To request a refund of a Class B licensure fee already processed, submit the "Request to Waive Processing Fee" document completed by a school administrator.

If you have any questions, contact Mike Cavin, Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, at (515) 281-3437.

Free Tuition & Housing Available for Teachers at Global Education Institute

The 2015 Global Education Institute for teachers will be held on the University of Iowa campus, Dec. 5-6, 2015. Forty middle, junior and high school teachers will be selected to attend this year's institute and will receive free tuition. The first 20 teachers to register who live outside a 25-mile radius of Iowa City will receive free housing. Sponsored by the Stanley Foundation and UI International Programs, the institute provides 1 license renewal credit for participants.

Application deadline is Oct. 28, 2015. Application forms are available on the Institute’s website.

If you have any questions, contact Amy Green, UI International Programs, at (319) 335-1433.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Iowa Adopts New Iowa Science Standards; Learning Opportunities Coming Soon

New Iowa Science Standards were adopted by the Iowa State Board of Education. In order to support the implementation of the new Iowa Science Standards, the science learning community of Iowa will partner together to offer several professional development opportunities over the next three years. A few key dates and events for the upcoming year are:

• Iowa Science Standards Kick-off: Oct. 20, 2015, the University of Iowa and Grand View University will host a day of learning from national experts on the new science standards in Iowa City. This is intended to orient leaders to the new standards and prepare them to support classroom implementation. Register HERE.
• AEA Professional Development: Throughout the school year, science consultants from each AEA will be ready to provide the necessary professional development about the three-dimensional learning to science teachers. Contact Heartland AEA’s science consultants for more information.
• Summer Symposium - Implementing the Standards: On June 15-17, 2016, a symposium for teachers will be held. National experts in science and the new standards will lead educators in job-alike groups: after school providers, elementary teachers, middle school teachers and high school teachers. The goal is to give educators tools they need to implement the innovations in their practice.

Additional resources:

1. Visit the Iowa Department of Education website to read about the opportunities for learning new science standards.
2. Read the letter or watch the video announcing the Standards.
3. Read the Iowa Science Standards Proposed Strategic Plan.

If you have any questions, contact the Heartland AEA Science Consultants.

Decoding Dyslexia Iowa to Hold Fall Conference

Oct. 10, 2015
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mid-Iowa Council, Boy Scouts of America
6123 Scout Trail, Des Moines

Decoding Dyslexia Iowa is having its fall conference on Oct. 10 in Des Moines. Read the flyer or visit their website for more information.

If you have any questions, contact Helen Blitvich, Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, at (515) 232-9572.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Reminder: HAA Meeting Location Change

Oct. 6, 2015
Waukee Community School District
Prairieview Theater Arts Center
655 SE University Ave, Waukee

For the October meeting, superintendents have the opportunity to join in one of the Future Ready Iowa roundtable meetings being held around the state by Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. To accommodate attendance by those interested, the October HAA meeting is being moved to Waukee. The regular meeting begins at 9:00 a.m., and we will join the roundtable at 10:00 a.m.

First Friday of the Month Means Curriculum Network!

The Curriculum Network will meet Oct. 2, from 8:30-11:00 a.m. in Conference Rooms 107A and B at the Johnston Regional Education Center. If you want to participate remotely, information on how to connect via Zoom is listed at the end of the agenda.

If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Executive Director of District Services, at (800) 255-0405 ext 14374.

You're invited to a new learning session! Integrating technology to transform learning

Heartland AEA would like to invite you to the first TIC (Technology Integration and Collaboration) session of the 2015-16 school year!

TIC is a series of professional learning sessions where area educators come to Johnston for a FREE morning of learning from exemplary area educators who share how they're successfully transforming learning through technology integration.

Topic: K-12 Foreign Language: Quality Instruction Using Technology
Date: Sept. 29, 2015
Time: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive
To Register: Click Here
To Watch Live: Live Stream Link

Share this information with all Foreign Language teachers in your district or others in your building who might be interested in attending. 

All TIC sessions for the 2015-16 school year will also be live streamed. So if you can't join us in person, join us online!

More information about this and upcoming sessions can be found on the following Google Site: TIC (Technology Integration & Collaboration).

If you have any questions, contact Travis Wilkins, Instructional Technology Consultant, at (515) 993-4596 ext. 11278.

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 

Early Reg Ends Oct. 1 for Iowa Culture and Language Conference

Iowa Culture and Language Conference

“Building a Culture of Achievement”

Nov. 9-11, 2015

Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Visit the Iowa Culture & Language Conference or this flyer or more information about keynote and pre-conference presenters.

Save the Date: Moving Forward with PBIS

Oct. 5, 2015
April 19, 2016

DMACC-FFA
Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny

Based on district feedback, Heartland AEA is offering two FREE support days for PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports). Please save the date for Oct. 5, 2015 and April 19, 2016, as those are the two days these supports are offered this school year. ​License renewal credit will not be available for participants as we will not be able to offer the required 15 hours. Find more information and registration about the October session here.

Heartland Area Administrator (HAA) Meeting Change - Oct. 6

HAA Meeting

Oct. 6, 2015
Waukee Community School District
Prairie View Theater Arts Center
655 SE University Ave, Waukee

We have the opportunity in October to join in one of the Future Ready Iowa roundtable meetings being held around the state by Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. To accommodate attendance by those interested, the October HAA meeting is moved to Waukee. The regular meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. and we will join the roundtable at 10:00 a.m.

The Future Ready Iowa initiative focuses on ways to continue building Iowa’s talent pipeline to ensure our state has a workforce ready to fill the high-quality, well-paying jobs and careers of today and tomorrow.

ESL Paraeducator Courses are Back!

Heartland AEA will be once again be offering the Paraeducator ESL certification class, beginning in January. Please let your associates who work with ELLs know about this opportunity. Title III funds will provide a stipend of $300 for all paraeducators who work with ELLs, who fulfill the course requirements and who are currently employed by a public or non-public K-12 school in the Heartland AEA area. (This option is not available for employees of Des Moines Public Schools).

Paraeducator: Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language (ESL) 
Dates: Jan. 16, Feb. 13, March 11, April 9, May 7 & 21, 2016
Location: Johnston REC, Rm 109
Activity Number: PP001892111602

DMACC Surplus Available

The DMACC Ankeny campus has the following surplus supplies available:

64 mauve stackable chairs with padded seat and back

5 - 5ft x 2ft tables with pearl colored laminate top

If interested, please contact Julie Klocke, DMACC Purchasing, at (515) 964-6386 or jaklocke1@dmacc.edu.

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 

Iowa's AEAs provide Required Notifications and Postings Website

School districts know they are required by state and federal law to post or send out a number of notifications to keep parents, teachers, other staff and the public informed. Districts now have a one-stop-shop they can access to find a compilation of these required postings and notifications.
 
Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs) are pleased to add a “Required Notifications and Postings” page to their website where districts can access these important documents.
 
The notifications and postings categories include:
•    Facility
•    ESEA Title 1 Part A
•    ESEA Title IX, Section 9532
•    Human Resources
•    Federal
•    Business Office
•    Students
•    Childhood Nutrition

This online repository will be in a continuous state of modification, and district personnel are encouraged to provide input on additional items for inclusion or needed modifications to the existing documents.

Development of the Required Notifications and Postings was facilitated through the work of Dr. Clifford Ehlinger, a former Grant Wood AEA executive director.

If you have any questions, contact Valerie Taylor Hill, Grant Wood AEA public information specialist, at vhill@gwaea.org (319) 399-6824.

Save on Back to School Supplies through AEA Purchasing

The Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) and the Iowa Association of Educational Purchasing (IAEP) food program have united as AEA Purchasing! Iowa's Area Education Agencies launched statewide purchasing services in 1999. To date, these services have saved Iowa schools and non-profit educational organizations over $100 million dollars! In an effort to streamline statewide AEA programs, all cooperative purchasing responsibilities will now operate under AEA Purchasing. The names have changed, but the goals remain the same:

• Save Iowa schools time and money
• Research products and form vendor partnerships through a competitive process
• Offer a wide range of value added services
• Remain a self-supporting organization and give back to participating organizations through food rebates and funding of statewide projects
• Collaborate with AEAs and school districts to develop synergy that can’t be attained through individual efforts
• Help both large and small school districts acquire quality products and training at an equitable price

All vendor partners, contracts and pricing will remain the same. Visit the AEA Purchasing website for product categories, vendor partners, contacts, how to order and pricing! Subscribe to the monthly newsletters to stay informed.

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 

Route Option Available on Transportation Agreement

The new online Transportation Agreements that districts completed this spring and summer offer a route option. Entering routes is not a requirement but an optional feature that wasn't available on the previous years paper version. Any district interested in entering their routes should read Step 5 of the attached instructions and enter their routes by Sept. 30. Again, entering routes is an option and not a requirement. If you have any questions, please email Jennifer Ugolini, Board Secretary, at (515) 270-9030 ext. 14441.

Sept. 2015 School Leader Update

The Iowa Department of Education’s Sept. 2015 School Leader Update is now available. Inside, read about the Department of Education’s priorities from Director Ryan Wise, and attorney Nicole Proesch gives you updates on several issues.

Sept. 2015 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Sept. 2015 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this month’s issue, learn why an Algona educator takes special education very personally, and how it makes her determined all children will succeed under her.

Time Sensitive ELL Update about ELPA Assessment Administration

Instead of observing a test window of March 1 to May 1 as previously used for the I-ELDA assessment of ELLs, the Iowa Department of Education has suggested changing the state-approved assessment window of the ELPA 21 to Feb. 15 to April 15. for the 2015-16 school year.

The Iowa Department of Education also notes that: "We will also change these dates and post training announcements on our new webpage."

MidTESOL Conference in Iowa City Oct. 23-25, 2015

Teachers of English Learners are invited to attend an excellent weekend learning opportunity in Iowa City. Registration is available on the MidTESOL Conference website.

Teachers from districts within Heartland AEA are eligible for a reimbursement of registration cost, plus a $100 stipend to defray expenses incurred by hotel or travel through Title III. Claim forms will be available at the MidTESOL Conference, or contact: Stephaney Jones-Vo

Note: This Conference is independent of the Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC) which will take place in Coralville, Iowa on November 9 (pre-conference) and Nov. 10-11, 2015 (full conference).

Iowa Transition Conference Registration Available

The Iowa Transition Pre-Conference sessions will focus on strategies for educators and AEAs. It will be held on Sept. 22, 2015 at the Coralville Marriott in Coralville, Iowa. The cost will be $65.00 for the half day and includes an afternoon snack. No lunch will be provided.

The Iowa Transition Conference will be held on Sept. 23-24, 2015 at the Coralville Marriott in Coralville, Iowa. Participants have the opportunity to attend sessions on transition planning, assessment and services appropriate for parents, students, educators, AEA and agencies living, learning and working with students with disabilities. The conference will also offer an Exhibit Hall to learn more about transition services and products and offer networking opportunities. Costs: Wednesday is a full day for $100.00 and includes breakfast and lunch; Thursday is a half day for $65.00 and includes breakfast with a keynote in the late morning before conference closing. No lunch will be provided.

For more information go to the ITC 2015 webpage.

For Exhibitor and Advertiser information go to ITC Exhibit and Advertiser webpage.

If you have registered, thank you for your support! Please send the attached flyer to anyone you feel would benefit from attending this event.