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 gaps in achievement

• Increase annual graduation rates

• Increase gateways to post-secondary success 

TIME CHANGE: Heartland AEA Administrators Association (HAA) Meeting – Nov. 3

The HAA meeting on Nov. 3 will start at 8:45 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. and lunch will be provided.

For up-to-date meeting information, please refer to the HAA Google Site or agenda. 



Heartland AEA Administrators Association Meeting
Nov. 3, 2015
Regional Education Center
6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
8:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Literacy Intervention Event Scheduled Jan. 13

Iowa's schools are implementing successful reading interventions every day! What better way to learn and share effective practices in reading intervention than by attending “Celebrating Iowa’s Success,” a one-day literacy event sponsored by the Collaborating for Iowa’s Kids (C4K), a collaborative comprised of the Iowa Department of Education, Area Education Agencies, and Iowa districts.

This event is designed for district and building administrators, reading specialists, classroom teachers and instructional coaches. Participants will hear:

• Keynote speaker Amanda VanDerHeyden discuss Return On Investment in education
• Schools from across the state share successful literacy interventions

Registration is due Dec. 18 and schools with successful literacy interventions are encouraged to apply and share successes with others across the state. Applications are due Nov. 20.

If you have questions, contact Mary Jane Stites or Mark Crady, coordinators of C4K Training Cadre, at (515) 270-0405.

DMACC Surplus Available

The DMACC Ankeny campus has the following surplus supplies available:

• 30 sled base desks

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

Task Force Releases Recommendations to Redesign Career and Technical Education in Iowa

Members of the Secondary Career and Technical Education Task Force released their final recommendations, which set a new vision for career and technical education that is in line with the needs of students, employers and the state’s economy. The task force’s recommendations for high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs are as follows:

• Promote career and college readiness through thoughtful career guidance and purposeful academic and technical planning practices.
• Provide high-quality, integrated CTE programming comprised of secondary exploratory and transitory coursework to prepare students for higher-level, specialized academic and technical training.
• Afford students the opportunity to access a spectrum of high-quality work-based learning experiences through a coherent delivery system that streamlines and leverages existing initiatives.
• Address the shortage of qualified career and technical instructors by expanding opportunities to obtain academic and technical training in licensure areas and examining pre-service preparation and licensure practices to remove barriers for horizontal and vertical career advancement for individuals within the profession.
• Through collaboration and regional partnerships, provide for increased and equitable access to high-quality CTE through a statewide system of regional centers.

The full report is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

Nov. 2015 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Nov.2015 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter is available from the Iowa Department of Education. Every school talks about transitioning their students from a school career to beyond, whether that’s a good-paying job, a two-year community college or even a four-year university. But these two school districts examined their programs and found lots of opportunity.

Nov. 2015 School Leader Update

The Nov.2015 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this edition, read about Director Ryan Wise’s observations as he travels through the state visiting schools, and Attorney Nicole Proesch talks about student discipline.

Trouble Accessing the DE/AEA Survey? Help is Here!

If you have had trouble accessing the annual AEA/DE Customer Survey, it may be that the survey is being blocked by district software. Here are a couple suggestions:

• Contact the tech folks at the district and ask them to whitelist the URL for the survey.
• While not the ideal situation, try accessing the survey from a home or library computer or other location than in the school.

The survey is open until Nov. 25, 2015. Please share this link with your staff.

If you have any issues accessing the survey, contact Dr. Gary Dannenbring.

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 gaps in achievement

• Increase annual graduation rates

• Increase gateways to post-secondary success 

Move Creativity Into Reality With 3D Printing From Heartland AEA

From engine parts to human organs, 3D printing opens a wide variety of creative solutions for the world's problems. Industrial tech and tech classes will find immediate applications but other teachers will also see the potential in their classrooms. Make those math and science abstractions concrete with a 3D model! Using special software, students submit designs electronically to our Creative Services and then the printed object is shipped back to the school via the Heartland van mail. Visit our 3D Printing page for more information.

STEM PD Opportunity: Hot Topic - Climate & Iowa

Need help developing relevant lesson plans that focus on student learning, NGSS/Common Core and STEM?

Interested in the latest professional development from the University of Iowa focusing on STEM and NGSS?

The University of Iowa College of Engineering and the College of Education have teamed up to offer a real-world, STEM focused professional development opportunity related to flooding in Iowa. This opportunity is geared toward middle and high school teachers in Iowa and teachers, administrators and STEM team members are encouraged to apply. 

Date: Nov. 13-14, 2015
Location: John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center, 1200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
Stipend: $250 stipend 
Cost: Earn one optional continuing education/graduate credit for only $65
Application deadline: Nov. 4

Participation is limited to 25 people. Visit the event website for more information and application.

If you have any questions, contact Ted Neal at (319) 335-5327 or Gabriele Villarini, with the University of Iowa.

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.

Take the AEA/DE Customer Survey: Your Feedback is Important!

As you reflect back on the 2014-15 school year, and specifically on the Heartland AEA services you used last year, you and your staff are invited to participate in the annual statewide AEA/DE Customer Survey. This survey offers an opportunity to provide valuable feedback regarding AEA services. It is web-based and should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. To access the survey, go to this link and follow the instructions provided.

The survey is open until Nov. 25, 2015. Please share with your staff.

If you have any issues accessing the survey, contact Dr. Gary Dannenbring.

Thank you in advance for your participation! The information from this survey provides valuable data that assists Heartland AEA and the statewide AEA system in evaluating its services and working to meet current and future district/school needs.

All Iowa School Districts Applied to Join Teacher Leadership and Compensation System

Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that all 336 Iowa school districts have applied to join the state’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation System, the most comprehensive teacher leadership system in the nation. This targeted effort to tap into the expertise of top teachers to better support the more demanding work that teachers are expected to do and to raise student achievement is the centerpiece of the landmark education reform package adopted by the Legislature and signed by Branstad in 2013.

For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Education website.

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 

Educators Brennan & Kinley Elected to Heartland AEA Board

We welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Brennan of West Des Moines and John Kinley of Ames, who have been elected to the Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA) Board of Directors!

Liz Brennan

• Fills Director District 9 position previously held by Jane Bell, who retired from the Board after 19 years of service
• Represents Des Moines, Martensdale-St. Marys, Norwalk and West Des Moines school districts
• Member of the West Des Moines Schools’ Board of Education and has served in many volunteer positions throughout the West Des Moines district

John Kinley

• Fills the Director District 5 position previously held by Cal Halliburton, who retired from the Board after six years of service
• Represents Ames, Ballard, Colo-Nesco, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story and United school districts
• Educator for 40 years, beginning as a high school social studies teacher and then spending 15 years as a middle school principal.

“We’re delighted to have Liz and John join our board,” Paula Vincent, Heartland AEA Chief Administrator, said. “We are excited to have Liz and John collaborate with us and are confident their experience in the classroom, at the leadership table and with other community organizations will be a great benefit to our work.”

Visit the Heartland AEA website to read more about the new board members.

Our eBook Collection is Expanding; Tell Us What You Need

We have the opportunity to add to our MackinVIA ebook collection and we’re looking for content that best meets your curriculum. Let us know:

• What curriculum areas (and grade levels) are missing in VIA?
• What are your teachers requesting?

Send your recommendations or the curriculum that you need to have matched with digital ebooks to Susan Schrader, Director of Resources and Library Services, at 800-362-2720 ext. 14332.

Reminders and Updates for Administrators with ELLs

Districts in Years 2+
Districts in Years 2+ of not meeting one or more Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO) are required to send a team to the Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC). Review this information for ICLC registration and reimbursement directions.

Districts in Years 4+
Districts in Years 4+ of not meeting one or more AMAOs are required to send a team to ICLC and to select their administrators who will participate in the ELL Leadership Academy.

Participants in the ELL Leadership Academy are required to attend an ICLC Pre-conference session on Nov. 9 in order to launch the Academy with framework and expectations. Find the ELL Leadership Application form here.

If you have any questions, contact your Title III consultants, Stephaney Jones-Vo at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14680 or Janet Hiatt at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14022.

Watch Science Standards Conference Live

Oct. 20, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
Watch the livestream here


Educators and administrators across the state can watch the Oct. 20 Science Standards conference through livestream. The conference is designed to bring together administrators, curriculum directors, Area Education Agency personnel, teacher leaders and higher education faculty to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of the new Iowa Science Standards. For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Education website.

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 

Heartland AEA Staff & Schools Directory is Ready!

This year’s Staff & Schools Directory from Heartland AEA is available now in pdf format.

Also please keep in mind that Heartland AEA has an online staff directory that contains the most up-to-date information about Heartland AEA staff members. To access this directory, visit our homepage and click on the "Staff Directory" link on the top right hand side of the page. You may search for Heartland AEA staff members by name, position or by the school districts they serve.

If you have any questions, contact Courtney Croatt, Communications Specialist, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14474.

What’s New With Apple?

You don’t need to go all the way to California to hear the latest news from Apple. Join us for the Apple Tech Update event at Heartland AEA on Oct. 28.

iOS 9/OS X What’s New
Oct. 28

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. 

Heartland AEA, Rm. 123, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Register today!

• Find out how the latest product releases can support teaching and learning in your school 
or district.

• Learn about new features in iOS and OS X, and the latest updates to Apple hardware, that are ideal for education environments. 

• Hear about updates to the Device Enrollment Program, Volume Purchase Program, and Apple ID for Students Program.

Questions about the specific event content should be directed to Brent Hayward at Apple.

If you have other questions, contact Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14324.

You’re Invited to Participate: Research Study to Focus on Teacher Leadership Systems

This study will help to discover how and why teacher leaders enact chosen instructional teacher leadership practices in school settings. If you have any questions, read this research backgrounder or contact Jeffrey Lear, Pennsylvania D.Ed. Candidate, Indiana University of PA, at (484) 264-0760.

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.

Legislative Alert: 1 cent Tax Change, Affects Tech & Computer Purchases

The Iowa Department of Revenue is proposing a major tax change using the administrative rules process. The effect of the proposed change would be to eliminate technology and computer purchases from Iowa's 1 cent sales tax for schools.

On Oct. 13, the Administrative Rules Review Committee of the Iowa Legislature will discuss the proposed rule change, which is estimated to reduce corporate taxes by at least $37 million a year. This proposal, which was rejected in 2013 by the Legislature, would mean Iowa would have $37 million LESS each year to invest in education.

Those wishing to attend this hearing should be at the Iowa State Capitol, Room 116, Oct. 13 by 10:30 a.m. Short statements from attendees may be allowed at the hearing. Please consider attending the public hearing and/or sending your comments to the Governor.

School District Boundary Request from DE

We have been asked if the maps developed through the AEAs for census purposes meet the requirements of the recent mapping request from the Department of Education. The short answer is no; the census maps are based on different criteria. For a more detailed explanation, please see the note below. In the event the census maps are helpful, this link to the maps is included for your use.

Note from Jodi Flory, SDRP Coordinator:

To clarify, we need "legal boundaries" - a GIS/CAD layer (or map) that most closely defines the actual district boundary being used by the district. The director districts that are submitted to the Sec. of State are different in that they are forced to use Census Block boundaries to define the district boundary in order to tabulate population to comply with the constitutional One person:One vote rule. Census block geographies do not align properly with the geographic basis of school districts in most cases. The SDRP effort we are working on actually works to effectively adjust Census Block boundaries to the true school district geography. Thus, maps based solely from Census geographies are not suitable for this effort. If no legal district boundary exists for a school district, our next best data source for district boundaries is the county assessor, with school districts being a taxing base.

If a district has a legal boundary that has been digitized into a map (GIS/CAD), that is the best/preferred source. If that is not available, we would like a copy of the legal description so we can have a record of that, and if time permits, we will digitize ourselves. If no legal exists, we will attempt to gather a parcel-based district layer from the county.

If you have any questions, contact Jodi Flory, SDRP Coordinator, at (970) 409-9238.

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 

Congrats! Webster Elementary Wins Blue Ribbon Honor

It's kind of a big deal!

Webster Elementary School in Urbandale earned the U.S. Department of Education equivalent of an Academy Award: a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School.

Students and staff watched U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan read the announcement this week. They will celebrate in a November assembly and will be honored with all the National Blue Ribbon schools at a recognition ceremony Nov. 9-10 in Washington, D.C. 

Every year the U.S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels.

Check Status of Iowa TIER Assessments Online

A handy way to check the status of Iowa TIER Assessments - in the event of a technical glitch - is to visit the Iowa TIER status Google site. You might want to bookmark it if you haven’t done so already!

If you have any questions, contact Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14324.

ELL Admin Academy Developed for Districts with AMAO Concerns

The upcoming Iowa ELL Administrator Academy is offered to administrators with English Language Learners (ELL) in their districts -- specifically, those districts that have failed to meet one or more Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) and must write a Corrective Action Plan (CAP). However, any Iowa district that serves ELLs is eligible to participate.

The Academy is designed to help increase the district’s ability to:

• Address the unique needs of the ELL population
• Significantly improve the ELL’s English language acquisition and academic achievement
• Provide administrators with appropriate instructional and assessment skills and cross-cultural understanding to make a difference in ELL programming

Academy participants will attend the 2015 Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC) and pre-conference, Nov. 9-11, as well as additional professional development events throughout the two-year Academy commitment.

Timeline
Oct. 1: Districts that need to complete a CAP will be identified
Oct. 1-14: Districts select an administrator to participate in the academy
By Oct. 15: Districts email ELL Administrator Academy Application to program coordinator
Nov. 9-11: Academy participants attend 2015 Iowa Culture and Language Conference, pre-conference

Heartland AEA district administrative teams required to attend may register at the ICLC website and receive district reimbursement through their Title III consultants. District reimbursement claim forms will be available at the conference.

If you have any questions, contact Janet Hiatt, ESL/Diversity Consultant, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14022 and review the ELL Administrator Academy program for complete details.

Calling All Administrators! Connected Administrators’ Workshop to Explore Social Media

Would you like to learn more about social media with other K-12 administrators but have time constraints, minimal resources and/or the lack of a ‘safe’ environment? 

Then you should attend Heartland AEA’s Connected Administrators Workshop! This workshop will be offered twice during the 2015-16 school year and will follow with more advanced workshops, if needed.

Dec. 9 
8:00 a.m. - Noon
Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Dr., Johnston
Registration: FREE!

If you have any questions, contact Instructional Technology Consultants Marisa Dahl at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14214 or Tyler Youngers at (800) 255-0405 ext. 16307.

I Am Jack Returns to Stephens Auditorium, Explores Story of Bullying

Oct. 27, 2015
10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Stephens Auditorium, Ames

Admission: All seats $4 in advance; $5 at the door (available only through the Iowa State Center). Scholarship tickets available for students enrolled in the federal lunch program.

Based on Susanne Gervay’s inspiring novel, I am Jack explores the journey of a smart, funny, 11-year-old boy who is being bullied at school. This one-man show takes you on a touching and sometimes comical journey as Jack moves from victim to victor.

A brief study guide is available. View video clips from the performance here and here.

If you have any questions, contact Sara Compton, Iowa State Center, at (515) 294-7389.

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.

NCLB Annual Update Released, Includes New & Updated Guidance

Iowa Department of Education Deputy Director Dr. David Tilly has sent out annual information to public school districts regarding requirements included in the federal legislation, No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

Please share with your district personnel who have responsibility for Comprehensive School Improvement Plans, Annual Progress Reports, and federal programs funded through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

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

Oct. 2015 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Oct. 2015 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, read about a middle school that has borrowed great ideas and is seeing results.

Oct. 2015 School Leader Newsletter

The Oct. 2015 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, Director Ryan Wise reflects on highlights and headlines from the past month and Attorney Nicole Proesch addresses school visitation as seen through the lens of the Department of Human Services.

Feedback Needed: Educator Development Preliminary Recommendations

Iowans who make up the Council on Educator Development have spent the past two years studying and developing preliminary recommendations for teacher and administrator evaluation practices and professional development. Your feedback is now needed on these recommendations.

Please take this online survey by Nov. 30, 2015. All survey feedback will remain anonymous.

Gathering input is critical not only to this process, it is required by law. Read more information about the council’s work and timeline.