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 Administrators’ Association Meeting Reminder

The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will meet Feb. 2 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center in Johnston. 

In the event of inclement weather, you may participate in the meeting virtually using Zoom: Feb. 2, 2016 ZOOM Meeting. The meeting agenda can be viewed here. 

HAA Meeting
Date: Feb. 2, 2015
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Give Us Your Ideas! Heartland AEA Summer 2016 Course Offerings Survey is Open

In an effort to provide tech integration courses this summer that fit the needs of educators from across Heartland, we would like to gather information from you and and your district's teachers. We are using BrightBytes data (where applicable) and a survey to support targeted and purposeful professional learning this summer. The survey will be open until Feb. 5.

Take the survey and share it with educators in your district. Thank you for your participation!

28 Days of OLLIE (+1 Bonus Day) - Online Learning for Iowa Educators

Online communities and learning networks are helping educators create innovative solutions to age-old problems and fulfill the promise of today and tomorrow’s educational landscape. Because online learning is evolving quickly it is especially important for online teachers to connect and collaborate.

The 28 days of OLLIE (+ 1 bonus day) through AEA PD Online is an excellent opportunity for online teachers to benefit from each other’s ideas and experiences, as well as gain some insight into the newest innovations in online learning.

It is our hope that at the end of this month (Feb. 1-29) the connections that are formed among and between the community members will extend beyond the 28 days and lead to community of online teachers that can support each other in future work.

What to Expect During 28 Days of OLLIE
28 days of OLLIE is meant to provide online teachers with learning opportunities focused on critical areas related to online teaching and learning. The community facilitators will be hosting a variety of learning opportunities or events for educators.

This year’s 28 Days of OLLIE format will be focused on scenarios that come from Iowa educators. Participants will read about a question or challenge faced by an online/blended teacher. Community members can then participate in activities and discussions and access expert resources that are focused on resolving the issue or challenge identified in the scenario.

Join the Community
We welcome educators at all levels and those who support them to participate. The first step is to join the community, which can be done in seconds at http://bit.ly/1wWps6k. Once you’re signed up, you’ll get regular announcements about:

• Webinars
• Forums on topics related to teaching and learning online
• Activities to join
• Resources that are available
• Badges you can earn
• And much, much more!

It’s That Time Again! Moving Forward with PBIS 2015-16: Day 2

Heartland AEA is offering the second FREE support day for PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) for this school year on Feb. 8, 2016. ​License renewal credit will not be available for participants as we will not be able to offer the required 15 hours. The complete description of the day can be found here.

Date: Feb. 8, 2016
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register: Here

For more information, contact Rebecca Carver at (515) 270-0405 ext. 16294.

Save the Date: Our Kids Summer Institute, June 16-17

Save the date for the annual Our Kids Summer Institute on June 16-17. This institute provides participants with the opportunity to network with other educational professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English Language Learners throughout Iowa.

Remember that districts writing Corrective Action Plans are required to send a team, so early registration is recommended. Registration for this outstanding professional development opportunity will be capped at 400. Keep watching for more information!

Feb. 2016 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Feb. 2016 issue of Each and Every Child is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this month’s issue, read about how two different schools are tackling the Iowa Core through a special education lens.

Iowans Needed to Help Prevent Child Hunger in the Summer

In an effort to head off hunger, the Iowa Department of Education is seeking sponsors for a federally funded program that provides nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner or snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months.

Typical sponsors include public and private nonprofit schools, local government agencies, and private nonprofit organizations with serving sites located in schools, churches, community centers, parks, libraries, housing complexes or camps.

For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website. A free informational webinar will be held on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Webinar registration is available here.

Iowa Science Standards Implementation Plan Released

The Iowa Department of Education presented to members of the State Board of Education a comprehensive plan to implement Iowa’s science standards over the next few years, starting with the 2016-17 school year.

The Department is providing a fact sheet for teachers, a fact sheet for parents and a frequently asked questions document, each of which may be customized to fit individual district needs. Share this information with your staff, especially those involved in science instruction. For more information, contact Kris Kilibarda, Iowa Department of Education science consultant, at Kris.Kilibarda@iowa.gov.

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 

New ELL PD Opportunities: Language Objectives & GO TO Strategies

Course registration is now available for this foundational English Language Learners (ELL) learning opportunity that focuses on how to infuse language objectives into content classrooms and introduces basic strategies that enable teachers to plan scaffolded, yet rigorous and relevant content lessons for ELLs.

Choose to attend either the Elementary or the Secondary session. Both sessions will be co-facilitated by Laura Lukens and Linda New Levine, Ph.D. of GO TO Educational Services.

Language Objectives and GO TO Strategies for Elementary ELLs
Date: March 21, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Rooms 152 A/B/C
Register: Here

Language Objectives and GO TO Strategies for Secondary ELLs
Date: March 22, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Rooms 152 A/B/C
Register: Here

Other Information:

• Participants will leave with abundant resources for scaffolding instruction for ELLs, including the complete GO TO Strategy materials and handouts of workshop activities.
• ESL and non-ESL teachers and administrators are encouraged to attend.
• District Claim Forms: Title III funds are available to cover the cost of substitute teachers. District claim forms will be available at the event.
• Individual Claim Forms: If off contract due to spring break, an individual stipend of $200 will be provided. Individual claim forms will be available at the event. This stipend is only available to participants whose spring break coincides with this training.
• Lunch will be on your own from 11:30-12:45, with morning and afternoon breaks.

ISU Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest

It’s important not only for adults, but children to know the dangers and risks during severe weather events and how they can be prepared during such an event. 

For this reason, the Iowa State Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (ISU AMS) is sponsoring a Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest for Iowa students in grades K-6. Entries will be judged on how well students can illustrate what they and their families can do to prepare for severe weather events in Iowa.

For more information, visit the poster contest website or contact Kelsie Ferin, Iowa State University Meteorology Academic and Forecasting Chair.

DE Provides Universal Screening Resources

As the early literacy winter universal screening window opens, many educators and school administrators are preparing to communicate assessment results to parents and families.

The Iowa Department of Education has provided a FAQ document, outreach tips, and talking points designed to support building administrators and teachers in communicating to parents and families of students identified as “at risk” or as having a substantial deficiency in reading based on assessment results.

The DE welcomes your feedback on communication needs around implementation of the early literacy progression law. Send feedback to staci.hupp@iowa.gov.

Annual Condition of Education Report is Available

The Iowa Department of Education today released the latest edition of the annual Condition of Education report. The report provides a wide range of state-level data, including shifts in student populations and demographics, teacher salaries and characteristics, student achievement results and school financial information.

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 

Save the Date: Our Kids Summer Institute, June 16-17

Save the date for the annual Our Kids Summer Institute on June 16-17. This institute provides participants with the opportunity to network with other educational professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English Language Learners throughout Iowa.

Remember that districts writing Corrective Action Plans are required to send a team, so early registration is recommended. Registration for this outstanding professional development opportunity will be capped at 400. Keep watching for more information!

Smarter Balanced Assessments Implementation Put On Hold

In an email to superintendents this week, Ryan Wise, Director of the Iowa Department of Education, said that the administrative rules proposed by the State Board of Education (IAC 281.12) to implement the Smarter Balanced Assessments beginning in 2017 were put on hold this past Friday, when the proposed rules came up for a second review before the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee. These reviews are a required part of administrative rules adoption.

After raising questions about the State Board’s legal authority to adopt a state accountability assessment, the committee voted unanimously in favor of a session delay on the proposed rules. A session delay means that the effective date of the rules implementing the Smarter Balanced Assessments will be delayed until the end of the 2016 legislative session, unless legislators take action on assessment during the session.

Wise noted that putting in place a state assessment that accurately measures how students are progressing toward state standards is a critical part of the work to prepare Iowa students for success in college and in the workforce. And according to Iowa Code, a new assessment must be in place in schools by the 2016-17 school year.

Clarification Provided for ELPA21 Operations and Administration

There have been a number of general questions related to the first operational administration of ELPA21 (the new Annual English Language Proficiency Assessment). 

Please review the DE memo, the ELPA21 Testing Administration and directions to Create Account on DE Portal that help answer these questions and to fully engage in the required webinar trainings in preparation for practice testing and live administration.

All general information related to ELPA21 can be accessed on the public side of the Portal. There are several items that are locked due to security and only users with A&A Accounts will be able to access those items when they become available on Jan. 19.

For more information, contact Jobi Lawrence, Ed.D., Title III Director, Iowa Department of Education at (515) 281-3805 or Colleen Anderson, Assessment Consultant, Iowa Department of Education at (515) 281-3249.

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 Begins Serving Ames Christian School

Heartland AEA is pleased to begin providing services to Ames Christian School. In addition to grades K-6, the school has a full day preschool, half-day preschool and pre-kindergarten and is exploring the addition of 7th and 8th grades.

If you have any questions, contact Kristi Upah, Regional Director, at (515) 270-9030 ext. 12306.

Reminder: Professional Development Around New Iowa Science Standards Begins Jan. 12

FYI: 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, 2016.

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.

If you have any questions, contact Rob Kleinow, Science Curriculum Consultant, at ext. 14376.

Spots Filling Quickly for ISFIS Budget Workshops

The ISFIS budget workshops at Heartland AEA on Jan. 26 and Feb. 26 are being quickly filled. You can register online for any of the available workshops. Cost to attend is $225 per district.

Workshop participants will receive information about:

• Budget process and changes for the upcoming fiscal year
• Unspent Authorized Budget and strategies to fully utilize categorical resources
• Certified Budget and strategies to set maximum certainty of your property tax rate if SSA is not set by the publication deadline
• Data and tools related to the budget process
• Sample working line item budget template
• District specific certified budget file

For more information, read this flyer or contact Traci Erpelding at (515) 251-5970 ext 4.

2016 Legislator Listing is Online and Easy to Use

The Iowa Association of School Boards provides a quick and easy online resource to reach the legislators who represent your school district. Simply click on this link and then click on your district. There you will find links to your legislators, their contact information and other helpful details.

Mandatory Reporting of Ethics Violations Clarification

During the 2012 legislative session, the Iowa Legislature amended Iowa Code regarding mandatory reporting of ethics violations to the Board of Educational Examiners.

The main question that has been asked of the BOEE is what constitutes an “instance of disciplinary action”? After consulting with members of the committee who wrote this bill, the BOEE has determined that the employee discipline that must be reported to the BOEE includes written reprimands, written warnings, job separation agreements, resignations, nonrenewals, or terminations that resulted from employee misconduct covered by the mandatory reporting areas.

Read more about this in the Board of Educational Examiners memo. If you have any questions about whether or not a disciplinary action should be reported to the BOEE, contact Duane Magee, Executive Director, Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, at (515) 281-4810.

Ethics complaint forms may be obtained from the BOEE by emailing Darcy Hathaway. The BOEE Ethics handout may be accessed at: http://www.boee.iowa.gov/doc/ethHndot.pdf.

Raise Your Awareness: Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and school administrators, counselors and teachers should know how to identify potential cases and how to help children who are being trafficked. Trafficking can involve school-age youth, particularly those made vulnerable by challenging family situations, and can take a variety of forms including forced labor, domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation.

The U.S. Department of Education has released a guide for educators - and any staff in the school community - on ways to identify and help prevent child trafficking in schools. Human Trafficking in America's Schools is a free guide for school staff that includes information about risk factors, recruitment and how to identify trafficking; what to do if you suspect trafficking, including sample school protocols and policies; and other resources and potential partnership opportunities.

For more information, read the Department of Education Office of Safe and Healthy Student’s Fact Sheet on Domestic Human Trafficking, register and order free materials for distribution to your staff and students from this government website or contact Jeanne Ackerson at (816) 268-0401.

REMINDER: Second ELPA21 Training for New State Assessment is Jan. 11

Training on the state’s required online assessment for English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21) continues with a webinar this Monday, Jan. 11 at 3:30 p.m.

This training is an overview and should help district and building test coordinators and classroom teachers prepare for the actual testing session with students as well as navigate the online reporting system. More details on the system will come in the spring.

Special Notes:

• Upcoming ELPA21 training webinars on Jan. 13 and Jan. 20 are CANCELLED.
• It’s important that participants either attend the webinar this Monday or view the recording once it’s posted.
• All participants need to register individually.

Register for the Jan. 11 webinar here. 

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

Jan. 2016 School Leader Update

The Jan. 2016 issue of the School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education. Read Director Ryan Wise’s column as he reflects on the year past, and what he sees coming down the road in the new year. Attorney Nicole Proesch offers plenty of new guidance focusing on days-versus-hours in school.

Jan. 2016 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Jan. 2016 issue of Each and Every Child is available from the Iowa Department of Education. Read about an effort to make Specially Designed Instruction both effective – and scalable. And you will want to get on your calendar an upcoming special education conference in June.