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 Iowa Code 279.61 (commonly referred to as the Student Curriculum Plan or the 8th grade plan) has not been rescinded.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.