Heartland Area Administrators’ Association Meeting Reminder

The Heartland Area Administrators’ Association Meeting is Nov. 1, 2016 from Noon - 1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center, 8600 Northpark Dr., Johnston, IA. For up-to-date meeting agenda and other information, refer to the HAA Google Site.

Great Opportunity Coming for K-12 Math Teachers: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All

Learn more about National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ guidance for filling the gap between the adoption of rigorous standards and the enactment of practices, policies, programs and actions required for successful implementation of those standards. Steve Leinwand, lead author of Principles to Actions, Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, offers guidance to teachers, mathematics coaches, administrators, parents and policymakers at all grade levels. Steve is a Principal Research Analyst at American Institutes for Research. Spread the word to educators who would benefit from this professional learning activity!

Nov. 29, 2016 (K-5)
K-5 Registration

Nov. 30, 2016 (6-12)
6-12 Registration

FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny

Explore the Six Shifts in “Building Literacy in Social Studies” Course

This course begins with an introduction to the Social Studies standards and a review of the instructional shifts required by the Iowa Core Literacy Standards for Social Studies. Participants will explore the six shifts within the Iowa Core in Literacy for History/Social Studies standards and how they apply to a social studies classroom, including:

• Disciplinary literacy

• Informational text

• Academic vocabulary

• Text complexity

• Text based evidence and argument

• Writing from sources

Dates: Jan. 16, March 13 & June 12 (+ online), 2017
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 a.m.
Register
Target Audience: Grades 6-12 Social Studies Teachers

Important Change to Weighted Enrollment Factor Matrices

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are charged with weighting IEPs. We want you to be aware that the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and K-12 Weighted Enrollment Factor Matrices have been revised. Rubrics called Weighted Enrollment Factor Matrices (WEF Matrices) are used to apply a Weighted Enrollment Factor (WEF) to the IEP for each child who receives district special education services. The revised matrices are posted on the Iowa IDEA website.

Q. What prompted changes in the matrices?

The Bureau of Finance, Facilities, Operation and Transportation Services at the Department of Education requested that the cost of educational modifications necessary to meet the special education needs of the child no longer be used to determine the weighted enrollment factor for a student.

In the past, for certain factors (e.g., Assistive Technology, Accessible Educational Materials, Equipment for Safe Transportation and Unique Circumstances), the WEF Matrices have taken into account the cost of a service or support. The Bureau and AEA Directors of Special Education have collaborated to effect this change.

Q. When will we begin utilizing the revised matrices at Heartland AEA?

Heartland AEA will begin applying the new matrices to IEPs dated Oct. 31, 2016 and after.

If you have any questions, contact the Heartland AEA Regional Director who serves your district.

Free Bill of Rights Exhibit for Your School

The National Archives is offering a free pop-up exhibit called The Bill of Rights and You to schools nationwide. It contains simple messages conveying the importance of the Bill of Rights, its history and implementation and its impact today. The Bill of Rights and You was developed by The National Archives Traveling Exhibits Services as part of their commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Download the flyer with more information here (PDF).

Nov. Each and Every Child Newsletter

Welcome to the November issue of Each and Every Child. In this issue, you will read about a district that has, perhaps, the most comprehensive transition from high-school-to-beyond program in the state.

Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.

Our Goals

• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

Wilcox-Conley is Your Gifted and Talented Contact at Heartland AEA

Heartland AEA Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant Kyra Wilcox-Conley has assumed the agency-wide responsibilities for Gifted and Talented Programming, formerly held by Mary Schmidt. Kyra can be reached at kwilcox-conley@heartlandaea.org or 800-255-0405 ext. 11295.

Additional Gifted and Talented information is available on the Heartland AEA website. Check this site, as content will be updated periodically throughout the year. Feel free to contact Kyra with your Gifted and Talented needs.

Reminder and Preparation for Deep Equity Session, Nov. 1

The next Deep Equity Program that’s scheduled on Nov. 1 examines the five phases of the Deep Equity process for creating culturally responsive teaching. To enhance the learning experience, participants are encouraged to pre-read the Preface and Intro to the Deep Equity Participant’s Workbook and As Diversity Grows So Must We on pp. 286-295 in the back of the workbook. See you on the 1st!

Date: Nov. 1, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr., Johnston, IA 50131

Seats Are Going Fast for This Mental Health Course!

There are only a few slots left in Addressing Mental Health in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports that starts on Nov. 1, 2016. Learn more about best practices and evidence-based strategies in the area of school-based mental health across levels of support including how to:

• Support school systems in building protective factors in all students to promote mental health

• Promote student resiliency and school connectedness

• Begin developing an interconnected system of comprehensive behavioral mental health supports, and information on suicide prevention and threat assessment

Dates: Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, 2016
Times: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register here
*Teams are encouraged to attend.

Great Opportunity Coming for K-12 Math Teachers: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All

Learn more about National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ guidance for filling the gap between the adoption of rigorous standards and the enactment of practices, policies, programs and actions required for successful implementation of those standards. Steve Leinwand, lead author of Principles to Actions, Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, offers guidance to teachers, mathematics coaches, administrators, parents and policymakers at all grade levels. Steve is a Principal Research Analyst at American Institutes for Research. Spread the word to educators who would benefit from this professional learning activity!

Nov. 29, 2016 (K-5)
K-5 Registration

Nov. 30, 2016 (6-12)
6-12 Registration

FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny

DMACC Ankeny Surplus Available

DMACC Ankeny campus has has the following FREE surplus supplies available. If interested, contact Julie Klocke at jaklocke1@dmacc.edu.

32 Sled-based Desks

Special Workshop: Democratizing the DBQ - Helping All Students to Read, Think and Write in ELA & History/Social Studies

For over a decade, The DBQ Project has promoted rigorous reading and writing instruction for all students, not just those in advanced classes. This workshop will be interactive and participants will receive a unit from The DBQ Project materials. ELA and History/Social Studies teachers grades 4-12, curriculum coordinators and literacy coaches are invited to attend.

Date: Nov. 17, 2016
Location: Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, 7105 Northwest 70th Ave., Johnston, IA
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Register

Update on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for 2016-17 School Year

The Iowa Department of Education is providing an annual Elementary and Secondary Education Act update to public school districts regarding requirements included in the federal programs funded through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). All information included this year is updated or new guidance. Forward this information to your district personnel who have responsibility for Comprehensive School Improvement Plans, Annual Progress Reports and federal programs funded through ESEA.

Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.

Our Goals

• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

Calling All Science Teachers! Iowa Science Standards Module 2 Workshops Coming to a Town Near You

The two-day Iowa Science Standards Module 2 workshops are a continuation of the work that was begun last year with the Iowa Core Science Standards Overview (Module 1). Participation in Module 1 (or something equivalent) is a prerequisite for Module 2. The focus this year will be on unpacking the standards and developing coherent science lessons/units. This will include identifying "the right" (scientific) phenomena to use in a lesson/unit, using portions of the EQuIP Rubric to measure the alignment to the NGSS and overall quality of lessons/units and bundling standards in a lesson/unit. All workshops are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Educators have the option of taking the Iowa Science Standards Module 1 from AEA PD Online. This can be used as a review or as new learning for those who were unable to take the PD last year. If you choose to take the online Module 1, we encourage you to take this session as a group, so you have meaningful group conversations. To access Module 1 Online visit the AEA PD Online website, click on the "Catalog" button and search for "science standards." Participants will need to login (or create a login) in order to take this online module.

All Module 2 workshops and registration links can be found on this page of our website.

Districts Are Invited to Register Soon for Instructional Practices Inventory Trainings

The Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) is a teacher-led process for collecting data about student cognitive engagement during class time, for organizing the data into user-friendly profiles, and for faculty collaborative study of the data so classroom teachers can more effectively design and implement quality learning experiences for their students.
Instructional Practices Inventory Level I and Level II workshops are scheduled this month at Heartland AEA in Johnston and Sawyer Elementary in Ames.

Instructional Practices Inventory Level I Workshop
Date: Oct. 25, 2016
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Registration Link
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA

The Level I workshop provides:

• An overview of the IPI categories and the protocols for data collection
• Detailed practice in the recognition of the IPI categories
• Skill development to develop basic understanding of the protocols for data collection
• Classroom observation
• Strategies to engage faculty in collaborative study of the data
• Classroom scenario coding
• Endorsement certification as an IPI data collector

Instructional Practices Inventory Level II Workshop
Date: Oct. 26, 2016
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration Link
Location: Sawyer Elementary, 4316 Ontario St, Ames, IA

The Level II workshop provides IPI teams (administrators, teacher leaders and others who have completed Level I) with a deeper understanding of the IPI Process and the existing evidence about the most appropriate practices when implementing the IPI Process including:

• Developing insight about strategies for effectively collecting IPI data
• Increasing IPI team’s knowledge and strategies for leading the faculty study of the data
• Providing the opportunity for the teams to critique their schools’ IPI processes, successes and challenges
• Building a richer perspective of why the IPI is valuable for a school

Great Opportunity Coming for K-12 Math Teachers: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All

Learn more about National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ guidance for filling the gap between the adoption of rigorous standards and the enactment of practices, policies, programs and actions required for successful implementation of those standards. Steve Leinwand, lead author of Principles to Actions, Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, offers guidance to teachers, mathematics coaches, administrators, parents and policymakers at all grade levels. Steve is a Principal Research Analyst at American Institutes for Research. Spread the word to educators who would benefit from this professional learning activity!

Nov. 29, 2016 (K-5)
K-5 Registration

Nov. 30, 2016 (6-12)
6-12 Registration

FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny

DMACC West Surplus Available

DMACC West Campus has the following surplus supplies available. If interested, contact Julie Klocke at jaklocke1@dmacc.edu.

8 computer tables - 72” x 30”

Draft Social Studies Standards Released, Public Review Set For November

Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise today released a draft of revised statewide standards for social studies and announced members of a new state team who will conduct a public review of the draft standards. Visit the Department of Education’s Social Studies Standards Review Team webpage for more information.

Director Wise Announces Statewide Assessment Advisory Committee

Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise today announced a new committee to help schools transition to new statewide assessments. The Statewide Assessment Advisory Committee will meet for the first time on Oct. 13 and will meet at least four times throughout the 2016-17 school year. Meetings are open to the public. Thursday’s meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Des Moines Community School District Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, in West Des Moines. For more information visit the Statewide Assessment Advisory Committee webpage.

Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.

Our Goals

• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

Inspire Students to Love Science Through Mystery Science

Heartland AEA has purchased access to Mystery Science for all elementary schools. Mystery Science lessons are open-and-go and inspire students to love science. Simply gather a few materials and start teaching right away! Start making the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards. We think you’ll find the videos and lessons to be engaging and supportive of inquiry. Watch this short overview video.

This digital resource is a little different from the others provided through Heartland AEA. Mystery Science is geared to teachers, not students. While the videos will be shown to students, the support materials are for teachers.

HOW TO ACCESS
Teachers access Mystery Science through a personal account they create independently. You’ll find the link on our website here and here. This the direct link.

To create an account the first time, follow the online prompts or check these four steps:
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

If you have created an account in the past and have difficulty logging in, email support@mysteryscience.com, or call (650) 550-0670.

For additional questions about how to use Mystery Science in your classroom, contact Susan Schrader, Heartland AEA Director of Resources and Library Services at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14332 or the Heartland AEA Science Consultant who serves your district.

Calling All Science Teachers! Iowa Science Standards Module 2 Workshops Coming to a Town Near You

The two-day Iowa Science Standards Module 2 workshops are a continuation of the work that was begun last year with the Iowa Core Science Standards Overview (Module 1). Participation in Module 1 (or something equivalent) is a prerequisite for Module 2. The focus this year will be on unpacking the standards and developing coherent science lessons/units. This will include identifying "the right" (scientific) phenomena to use in a lesson/unit, using portions of the EQuIP Rubric to measure the alignment to the NGSS and overall quality of lessons/units and bundling standards in a lesson/unit. All workshops are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Educators have the option of taking the Iowa Science Standards Module 1 from AEA PD Online. This can be used as a review or as new learning for those who were unable to take the PD last year. If you choose to take the online Module 1, we encourage you to take this session as a group, so you have meaningful group conversations. To access Module 1 Online visit the AEA PD Online website, click on the "Catalog" button and search for "science standards." Participants will need to login (or create a login) in order to take this online module.

All Module 2 workshops and registration links can be found on this page of our website.

Districts Are Invited to Register Soon for Instructional Practices Inventory Trainings

The Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) is a teacher-led process for collecting data about student cognitive engagement during class time, for organizing the data into user-friendly profiles, and for faculty collaborative study of the data so classroom teachers can more effectively design and implement quality learning experiences for their students.

Instructional Practices Inventory Level I and Level II workshops are scheduled this month at Heartland AEA in Johnston and Sawyer Elementary in Ames.

Instructional Practices Inventory Level I Workshop
Date: Oct. 25, 2016
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pmRegistration Link
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA

The Level I workshop provides:

• An overview of the IPI categories and the protocols for data collection
• Detailed practice in the recognition of the IPI categories
• Skill development to develop basic understanding of the protocols for data collection
• Classroom observation
• Strategies to engage faculty in collaborative study of the data
• Classroom scenario coding
• Endorsement certification as an IPI data collector

Instructional Practices Inventory Level II Workshop

Date: Oct. 26, 2016
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration Link
Location: Sawyer Elementary, 4316 Ontario St, Ames, IA

The Level II workshop provides IPI teams (administrators, teacher leaders and others who have completed Level I) with a deeper understanding of the IPI Process and the existing evidence about the most appropriate practices when implementing the IPI Process including:

• Developing insight about strategies for effectively collecting IPI data
• Increasing IPI team’s knowledge and strategies for leading the faculty study of the data
• Providing the opportunity for the teams to critique their schools’ IPI processes, successes and challenges
• Building a richer perspective of why the IPI is valuable for a school

Great Opportunity Coming for K-12 Math Teachers: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All

Learn more about National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ guidance for filling the gap between the adoption of rigorous standards and the enactment of practices, policies, programs and actions required for successful implementation of those standards. Steve Leinwand, lead author of Principles to Actions, Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, offers guidance to teachers, mathematics coaches, administrators, parents and policymakers at all grade levels. Steve is a Principal Research Analyst at American Institutes for Research. Spread the word to educators who would benefit from this professional learning activity!

Nov. 29, 2016 (K-5)
K-5 Registration

Nov. 30, 2016 (6-12)
6-12 Registration

FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny

Supplement/Supplant Survey Request; Respond by Oct. 12

Take the Survey!

 The AASA: The School Superintendents Association is moving forward with the next step of its advocacy effort in response to USED’s proposed regulations on supplement/supplant. This step involves completing a survey. The 15 item survey starts with a very brief summary of the department’s proposal. AASA will use the responses to this survey with the USED and members of Congress to advocate for regulations that maximize LEA flexibility with Title I funds. 

Oct. 2016 School Leader Update

The Iowa Department of Education’s Oct. 2016 School Leader Update is now available.