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
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.
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
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 Campus has the following surplus supplies available. If interested, contact Julie Klocke at jaklocke1@dmacc.edu.
8 computer tables - 72” x 30”
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.
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.
