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 

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Office Hours and Van Delivery Schedule

All Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public Dec. 24, 2015 through Jan. 3, 2016. Please note the following schedule as you plan to place orders through Creative Services and send and receive items through our van mail.

• Regular Van Delivery: Dec. 21-23
• No Van Delivery: Dec. 24-Jan. 1
• Regular Van Delivery Resumes: Jan. 4

Additionally, there will be no Administrator Connection Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.

Happy holidays and best wishes in the new year! See you on Jan. 4!

Reminder: Register by Dec. 21 for “Implementing Standards-based Grading” Workshop

The registration deadline is right around the corner!

Heartland AEA will host "ImplementingStandards-based Grading" on Jan. 5, 2016 with featured presenter, Dr. Cathy Vatterott. This professional learning opportunity is designed for administrators and teacher teams who want to learn more about standards-based grading or are in the beginning stages of implementation. Districts are invited to send a team of 3-5 people. Larger districts may send a few additional participants.

Deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 21. Register here. 

If you have been unable to register for the workshop or would like to check the status of your registration, follow these step-by-step directions or contact Heartland AEA Professional Development at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14701 or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14701.

This professional learning opportunity is held in lieu of the January Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) Meeting.

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

Interruption in Network Services Over Winter Break Anticipated

During winter break, the IT department will be moving our Internet connection and our key servers to LightEdge, a state-of-the-art data center in Altoona. We hope to minimize down time for key services, but there will be some outages on Dec. 29 as our Internet connection and services are moved.

Assuming the weather cooperates, and the move goes as planned, the interruptions in key services such as the employee dashboard, universal registration, Moodle and agency phones/voicemail will be limited to the 29th. Access to Google and the agency website will be unaffected by this change. If there are changes in this timeline, we will provide further updates via email and the website.

Thanks for your understanding and patience as we complete this major relocation of services.

For more information, contact Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology, at (800) 362-2720.

Training Dates Set for New State Assessment of English Language Learners

Beginning this school year, the state’s required assessment for English Language Learners will be an online assessment: the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21). It will replace the Iowa English Language Development Assessment.

The Department will provide training for tech coordinators, test coordinators, and test administrators with a series of webinars. They are also providing a test administration certification module for teachers.

Training registration information can be found here.

For more information, contact Colleen Anderson, Student Assessment, Iowa Department of Education at (515) 281-3249.

Iowa Science Standards Professional Development Begins Jan. 12

In order to support the implementation of the new Iowa Science Standards, the science learning community of Iowa is partnering to offer the first professional development opportunity, beginning Jan. 12.

Iowa Science Standards Professional Development Module 1 will introduce participants to the new Iowa Science Standards, their conceptual shifts and three-dimensional nature, as well as provide participants and districts an opportunity to have conversations as we move toward implementation.

Find registration, locations and dates at this link. You will sign up for one full day and one half day. The half day is based on grade level.

For more information, contact Robert Kleinow, Science Curriculum Consultant, at 800/362-2720 ext. 14376.

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 

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Office Hours and Van Delivery Schedule

All Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public Dec. 24, 2015 through Jan. 3, 2016. Please note the following schedule as you plan to place orders through Creative Services and send and receive items through our van mail.

• Regular Van Delivery: Dec. 21-23
• No Van Delivery: Dec. 24-Jan. 1
• Regular Van Delivery Resumes: Jan. 4

Additionally, there will be no Administrator Connection Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.

Happy holidays and best wishes in the new year! See you on Jan. 4!

Training Dates Set for New State Assessment of English Language Learners

Beginning this school year, the state’s required assessment for English Language Learners will be an online assessment: the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21). It will replace the Iowa English Language Development Assessment.

The ELPA21 is required for all English Language Learners in K-12. The tests are to be administered annually from Feb. 15 - April 15. The cost for the assessment is wholly paid by the Iowa Department of Education.

The Department will provide training for tech coordinators, test coordinators, and test administrators with a series of four, one-hour webinars. They are also providing a test administration certification module for teachers.

All webinars are scheduled from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. and the first training is Dec. 14. The recording and materials will be posted on the Iowa Department of Education’s ELPA21 website and the Area Education Agencies’ Agora site for English Language Learners.

Registration information can be found here.

For more information, contact Colleen Anderson, Student Assessment, Iowa Department of Education at (515) 281-3249.

Learning Opportunity: Standards-based Grading Workshop

Administrators and teacher teams who want to learn more about standards-based grading or are in the beginning stages of implementation are invited to attend "Implementing Standards-based Grading" on Jan. 5, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with featured presenter, Dr. Cathy Vatterott.

This professional learning opportunity is held in lieu of the January Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) Meeting.

The framework for the day includes:

• General overview/common principles and definitions as an anchoring conversation
• Insights for working with teachers, parents, students, etc.
• Lessons learned from national perspectives
• Implementation logistics and challenges

Who should attend: Districts may send a team of 3-5 people and larger districts may send a few additional participants.

Registration (required): $18 per person, includes coffee in the morning and a boxed lunch. Register by Dec. 18 at this link. A detailed agenda will be sent prior to the workshop. 

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

Leaders To Learn From Virtual Events Collection

Education Week's Leaders To Learn From Virtual Events take you deeper into the expertise and experiences of some of the nation's most innovative school district leaders. This group of forward-thinking district administrators covers a range of topics, including: whole-child accountability, parent engagement, fostering an environment for innovation, and more. You'll receive instant access to six fascinating Education Week Webinars led by Leaders To Learn From honorees and other experts. The presentations provide both practical, ready-to-use advice and essential contextual information. Learn more here.

AEA Purchasing Newsletter: Diverse Learning - December 2015

The Dec. 2015 issue of the AEA Purchasing Newsletter provides resources for:

• New vendor partners
• Products and technology webinars
• Furniture ideas for ADHD friendly classrooms
• Rosetta Stone’s language learning suite for K-12
• Multisensory environmental solutions

DMACC Surplus Available

The DMACC Ankeny campus has the following surplus supplies available:

18 Nikon Microscopes

If interested, please contact Julie Klocke, DMACC Purchasing, at (515) 964-6386.

FREE Professional Development Opportunity for Civics and U.S. History Teachers

Want to know more about America’s founding? Curious about how current events connect to Constitutional issues? If you are a middle or high school teacher who teaches civics or U.S. history, you are invited to apply to be part of the first year of the James Madison Legacy Project.

Only 10 teachers will be selected for the project. Teachers will have access to Constitutional scholars and teacher mentors who will help participants implement best practices in the teaching of the Constitution. Each participant will receive a $500 stipend with reimbursement for mileage and lodging, if needed, We the People textbooks and two license renewal credits.

The weekend seminars in 2016 are planned:

• Jan. 29-30
• Feb. 26-27
• April 1-2

The application deadline is Dec. 18. Learn more about the James Madison Legacy Project or contact John Wheeler or Stefanie Wager.

97 School Districts Added to Iowa’s Teacher Leadership System

Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise announced the next group of school districts chosen to launch local teacher leadership plans through Iowa’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation System. Ninety-seven school districts have been added to the state system, bringing the total number of districts in the teacher leadership system to 295 (88 percent of Iowa districts). To see the list of school districts and learn more about Iowa’s teacher leadership system, visit the Department’s website.

High School Principal Search - Waukee, IA

The Waukee Community School District is conducting a search for a High School Principal due to professional advancement. If interested, apply at www.waukeeschools.org/careers/career-opportunities/. Questions can be directed to Roxy Livermore at (515) 987-5161.

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 

Holiday Office Hours and Van Delivery

All Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public Dec. 24-Jan. 1. Please take note of the following schedule as you plan to place orders through Creative Services and send and receive items through our van mail.

Regular Van Delivery: Dec. 21-23
No Van Delivery: Dec. 24-Jan. 1
Regular Van Delivery Resumes: Jan. 4

Additionally, there will be no Administrator Connection Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.

Do You Know About Heartland AEA’s Parent & Educator Connection?

The Heartland AEA Parent & Educator Connection (PEC) encourages and promotes positive partnerships between parents and educators so that children with special needs are successful. Our PEC coordinators are parents of children or young adults with special needs, so they share a unique perspective with the families we serve.

The PEC offers:

• Conferences, workshops or networking groups
• Links to community resources, camps and leisure activities
• Transition support to help prepare a student in special education to move from high school to the workplace or higher education
• Parent Online Trainings for topics such as orientation to special education, eligibility for special education, managing behavior, bullying prevention

For more information, contact Terry Mendell, Lead Parent Coordinator, Heartland AEA, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 17135 or sign up to receive notifications of PEC events and newsletters.

Reminder: Applicants Sought for 2015 STEM Education Award for Inspired Teaching

Administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students and other STEM advocates are invited to nominate an inspirational science, technology, engineering or mathematics teacher for the 2016 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries and the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.

Nominations close Dec. 11, 2015.

For more information or to make a nomination, visit the 2016 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award website or contact Taylor Rookaird or Carrie Rankin.

Dec. 2015 School Leader Update

The Dec. 2015 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education. Inside, Director Wise talks about two big pushes in the state – the Iowa School Report Card and Differentiated Accountability. Attorney Nicole Proesch reminds you to keep the holiday in (legal) perspective. And read about the 2016 Teacher of the Year.

Dec. 2015 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Dec. 2015 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, drop in on the team at Pocahontas Elementary School in the town of the same name in north central Iowa. There, you will find they are embracing Universal Design for Learning, or UDL, something they find helps individualize classroom work for each and every child – and enables a deeper understanding of content.

Teacher Input Needed on Eval Practices and PD

Iowans who make up the Council on Educator Development have developed recommendations for teacher and administrator evaluation practices and professional development. Feedback is needed on the recommendations from superintendents, principals, teachers and school board members by Dec. 18. 

Give your feedback now!

All survey responses will remain anonymous.

High School Principal Search - Winterset, IA

The Winterset Community School District is conducting a search for a High School Principal due to retirement. Questions can be directed to Susie Meade at (515) 462-2718.