Happy Holidays to You & Yours!

Click the image for a holiday greeting from Heartland AEA!

Jan. 2018 Curriculum Network Meeting

The next Curriculum Network meeting will be held on Jan. 5 in rooms 107 A & B at Heartland AEA in Johnston from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. The agenda includes a Fine Arts Standards update, ESSA update, an overview of the FastBridge behavior formative assessment suite, CTE Redesign Plan for Heartland AEA and a legislative update with Margaret Buckton. More details are in the agenda as well as information for participants who want to attend through Zoom. If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer with Heartland AEA, at kfangman@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 ext. 14374.

Heartland AEA Curriculum Network Meeting
Jan. 5, 2018
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Prepare Your District Budget During The ISFIS Budget Workshop

Each year, ISFIS partners with Piper Jaffray and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to provide face-to-face budget workshops for business managers and superintendents. These hands-on workshops are an opportunity for leaders from each district to prepare their individual budgets in one highly productive day. Workshops are scheduled at Heartland AEA on Jan. 29 and Feb. 19. Register online

ISFIS Budget Workshops
Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston
Jan. 29 and Feb. 19
Register online

For more information, contact Marissa Gaal at marissa@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970 ext. 4.

Additional Budget Offerings
IASB also offers certified budget workshops for superintendents and school business officials, and two of them are held at the IASB office in Des Moines on Feb. 6 and Feb. 26. Workshops are free for IASB members. For more information, visit the IASB website.

FastBridge Update from Iowa’s AEAs

Many districts have already expressed interest to their respective AEA about using the FastBridge suite of assessments. There are two different windows available, thus two potential deadlines are listed below. FastBridge will include the Spring 2018 assessment window for districts/schools who commit to 2018-19 participation, at no additional charge.

• Option 1: If your district would like to commit to participation in 2018-19, but start using the assessment in the spring 2018 at no additional charge, please complete this complete this formal interest survey by Jan. 15, 2018.

• Option 2: If you don't want to use tools for free during the spring 2018 screening window, but plan to use them beginning in the fall of 2018, then you have until June 15, 2018 to commit and complete this formal interest survey.

This one-hour webinar recording provides an overview of the FastBridge suite of formative assessment tools available for K-6 students in math and was presented during the Statewide Curriculum Network on Dec. 1. These are the slides used during the webinar.

This is information shared by the AEAs regarding the pricing structure negotiated with FastBridge Learning by the AEAs, and deadlines for notifying your AEA if your school plans to participate in 2018-19.

If you are a school in Heartland and have any questions, please contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer with Heartland AEA, at kfangman@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 ext. 14374. We will be collecting questions and facilitating feedback from FastBridge Learning and will share this in an FAQ document in the near future.

Have You Registered for the 2018 Legislative Advocacy Event?

Register now for the 2018 Legislative Education Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This event will bring together school administrators from across Iowa to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight, and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol.

Legislative Update
Jan. 30, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Prairie Meadows Hotel

Legislative Visits
Jan. 31, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Iowa State Capitol

Registration is open until Jan. 23 at this link.

It's Time to Update District Coordinators for the ELPA21 Assessment

In order to receive communications regarding the ELPA21 Assessment, now is the time to make sure your district coordinator has access to the Iowa ELPA21 application of the Iowa Education Portal. District coordinators for public districts should request the role of “ELPA21_Dist_Coord” for the Iowa ELPA21 application. New for this year, coordinators for non-public schools should request the role of “ELPA21_NP_Coord”. Having the correct district coordinator specified is important to be sure you receive up-to-date communication needed to prepare for training and administration of the 2017-18 ELPA21 assessment. For assistance, contact the Portal Helpdesk at (515) 725- 2040 or ed.portal@iowa.gov. This message was also included in the Nov. 2017 issue of the School Leader Update.

Registration is Open for 2018 Iowa Go Alliance Online Academy Courses

Are you looking for ways to increase the knowledge and skills of your staff and yourself regarding college and career readiness? Iowa Go Alliance Academy and AEA Learning Online have set up a number of online courses to help enhance your knowledge and save you time and money!

Building a College-Going Culture for All StudentsHow to remove barriers to higher education, especially for low-income, first-generation and minority students.
January 22-March 16, 2018
March 2-April 20, 2018
June 11-July 27, 2018


College, Career and Academic Planning
(Prerequisite: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students)
How to engage students in early college and career awareness, and support students in postsecondary and career planning.
January 22-March 16, 2018
March 2-April 20, 2018
June 11-July 27, 2018

Financial Aid and College Applications
(Prerequisite: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students)
How to support students and families navigating the complexities of filing the FAFSA and other financial aid and college applications.
January 22-March 16, 2018
March 2-April 20, 2018
June 11-July 27, 2018

Maximizing Counselor Impact: Module for Administrators
How school leaders can engage effectively with school counselors. Developed in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
January 22-March 16, 2018
March 2-April 20, 2018
June 11-July 27, 2018

Iowa Go Alliance Academy is a college and career counseling training program provided by Iowa College Aid in partnership with Southern Regional Education Board and AEA Learning Online. See best practices in action and gain knowledge and resources that can be incorporated in your work with students immediately. Courses are offered for license renewal or graduate credit through Drake University, Morningside University and Viterbo University. Space is limited, so register today. For more information about Iowa Go Alliance Academy and course availability, contact Ashley McKenna at ashley.mckenna@iowa.gov.

Changes Required by ESSA to Graduation Requirements for Children with Disabilities - Rulemaking Open for Comment Until Jan. 8

The Iowa Department of Education will be phasing in a required change in practice over time regarding graduation requirements for children with disabilities. This change is required by an amendment made to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by the Every Student Succeeds Act. That federal amendment changes the definition of a “regular high school diploma.” Interested individuals may make written comments on the proposed amendment on or before Jan. 8, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. Refer to this letter from the DE for more information.

Happy Holidays to You & Yours!

Click the image for a holiday greeting from Heartland AEA!

Today is the Last Day to Register for the Jan. 9 Crisis Response Workshop with Rick Kaufman

Register by the close of business today for the Jan. 9, 2018 crisis response workshop with Rick Kaufman. Superintendents are encouraged to bring one accompanying staff member such as a PR/communications/crisis management staff or district administrator. The workshop will not have a Zoom option since it’s highly interactive. Attendees, please bring your laptop or personal device.

Jan. 2018 HAA Meeting and Crisis Response Workshop
Jan. 9, 2018
9 - 11:30 a.m.
Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Drive, Johnston
Register at this link

*Bring a laptop or personal device

You’re Invited to Participate in a PD Survey - Only 6 Questions!

Heartland AEA has been asked by Rob Cordes, Carroll CSD Superintendent, to survey district superintendents on a few items related to district professional development practices. Please complete this short survey before winter break. Information will be shared with superintendents at a later date.

Winter Break Hours and Van Delivery Schedule

Please note our winter break hours and van delivery schedule:

• All Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public from Dec. 22, 2017 through Jan. 1, 2018.
• Regular Van Delivery: Dec. 18 - 21
• No Van Delivery: Dec. 22 - Jan. 1
• Regular Van Delivery Resumes: Jan. 2

Wishing you a happy holiday season from Heartland AEA!

Prepare Your District Budget During The ISFIS Budget Workshop

Each year, ISFIS partners with Piper Jaffray and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to provide face-to-face budget workshops for business managers and superintendents. These hands-on workshops are an opportunity for leaders from each district to prepare their individual budgets in one highly productive day. Workshops are scheduled at Heartland AEA on Jan. 29 and Feb. 19. Register online

ISFIS Budget Workshops
Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston
Jan. 29 and Feb. 19

Register online

For more information, contact Marissa Gaal at marissa@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970 ext. 4.

Additional Budget Offerings
IASB also offers certified budget workshops for superintendents and school business officials, and two of them are held at the IASB office in Des Moines on Feb. 6 and Feb. 26. Workshops are free for IASB members. For more information, visit the IASB website.

Iowa’s AEAs Would Like Your Perspective on Legislative Priorities - Take a Short Survey

Please take a few minutes to provide your perspectives to this Legislative Priorities Survey. Information from this survey will be used to create talking points for the 2018 Legislative Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies on Jan. 30-31. This event brings school administrators together from across Iowa to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol.

Legislative Update
Jan. 30, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Prairie Meadows Hotel

Legislative Visits
Jan. 31, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Iowa State Capitol

Registration is open until Jan. 23 at this link.

District Leadership Teams are Invited to Attend MTSS Academy; Learn How to Create a Systematic Process to Ensure all Students Learn at High Levels

Are you seeking clarity on how to be more efficient and effective in building a system of supports for your students? Do you have a culture of collective responsibility? Do you need assistance on improving your Iowa School Report Card rating developed by the DE? Are your students proficient on reading and math assessments and making adequate year-to-year growth? Are students making a year of academic growth each year? Are all subgroups closing the achievement gap? This course is about creating a systematic process to ensure all students receive necessary supports to learn at high levels.

Teams will focus on developing action plans to fully implement MTSS at the building level. Ongoing supports will be provided.

An Academy for Middle Schools & High Schools
Jan. 9 & 23, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Register online at this link


Jan. 9 location
Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA

Jan. 23 location
Grand View University, 1200 Grandview Ave, Des Moines, IA

Happy Holidays to You & Yours!

Click the image for a holiday greeting from Heartland AEA!

You’re Invited to Participate in a Short Professional Development Survey

As districts begin to develop their calendars for the 2018 - 2019 school year, Heartland AEA has been asked by Rob Cordes, Carroll CSD Superintendent, to survey district superintendents on a few items related to district professional development practices. Please complete this short survey by Dec. 8. Information will be shared with superintendents at a later date.

Prepare Your District Budget During The ISFIS Budget Workshop

Each year, ISFIS partners with Piper Jaffray and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to provide face-to-face budget workshops for business managers and superintendents. These hands-on workshops are an opportunity for leaders from each district to prepare their individual budgets in one highly productive day.

ISFIS Budget Workshops
Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive in Johnston
Jan. 29 and Feb. 19
Register online at this link

For more information, contact Marissa Gaal at marissa@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970 ext. 4.

FastBridge Update from Iowa’s AEAs

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies will subsidize costs for districts to upgrade their DE provided FastBridge (FAST) subscriptions. This offer will allow districts to gain access to all K-6 FAST application features, which include additional functionality in the area of literacy and access to data warehousing, reporting, training and certification in mathematics and behavior. Subscriptions are based on a per student annual cost. Heartland AEA and the statewide AEA system have committed to covering 50 percent of the cost for each K-6 student in Iowa.

This one-hour webinar recording provides an overview of the FastBridge suite of formative assessment tools available for K-6 students in math and behavior and was presented during the Statewide Curriculum Network on Dec. 1. These are the slides used during the webinar.

This is information shared by the AEAs regarding the pricing structure negotiated with FastBridge Learning by the AEAs, and deadlines for notifying your AEA if your school plans to participate in 2018-19.

Many districts have already expressed interest to their respective AEA about using this suite of assessments. We are asking that you complete this formal interest survey in order to facilitate a systemic approach to implementation.

If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer with Heartland AEA, at kfangman@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 ext. 14374. We will be collecting questions and facilitating feedback from FastBridge Learning and will share this in an FAQ document in the near future. ​

Iowa’s AEAs Would Like Your Perspective on Legislative Priorities - Take a Short Survey and Join Us for the 2018 Legislative Education Advocacy Day

Please take a few minutes to provide your perspectives to this Legislative Priorities Survey. Information from this survey will be used to create talking points for the 2018 Legislative Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies on Jan. 30-31. This event brings school administrators together from across Iowa to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol.

Legislative Update
Jan. 30, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Prairie Meadows Hotel

Legislative Visits
Jan. 31, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Iowa State Capitol

Registration is open until Jan. 23 at this link.

BoEE Superintendent Update – Dec. 2017

Topics in the Dec. 2017 BoEE Superintendent Update include CTE Information Technology endorsement, conditional licensure coursework progress, new licensing system and hiring December graduates.

Dec. 2017 School Leader Update

The Dec. 2017 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.

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

HAA Meeting on Dec. 5 is Cancelled, Learning Session with Peter DeWitt Goes Ahead as Scheduled

The Dec. 5 Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) meeting from Noon - 1 p.m. via Zoom is CANCELLED. The next regularly scheduled HAA meeting will be held on Jan. 9. 

**The training with Peter DeWitt on Dec. 5 will be held as scheduled.**

Partnership updates will be posted to the HAA Google site.

You’re Invited to Participate in a Short Professional Development Survey

As districts begin to develop their calendars for the 2018 - 2019 school year, Heartland AEA has been asked by Rob Cordes, Carroll CSD Superintendent, to survey district superintendents on the number of times districts hold professional development during the school day (i.e. weekly, twice a month, etc.). In addition, he would like to know the length of professional development sessions, when districts hold professional development (day of the week, late starts, early dismissals), and the focus of the district's professional development plans. Please complete the very short survey by Dec. 8 in order for accurate data to be collected and shared with superintendents at a later date. Link to survey here

Is Your District Registered for the Special Workshop on Crisis Communication and Emergency Management in Jan. 2018?

The Jan. 9, 2018 meeting of the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will not be a typical monthly meeting. Instead, Heartland AEA is bringing in Rick Kaufman, a nationally recognized crisis management consultant and trainer, to lead a workshop on Crisis Communication & Emergency Management.

Check this document to see if your district is registered. There is still time to register if you don’t see your district listed. The deadline is Dec. 15.

Who should attend? Superintendents, principals, district communications specialists or another representative from the district are all invited. Learn more about the workshop at this link and be sure to register!

Crisis Communication & Emergency Management Workshop
Jan. 9, 2018 Heartland Administrators' Association Meeting
9 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr, in Johnston

Register at this link

*There will not be a Zoom option for this meeting since it’s highly interactive.

Prepare Your District Budget During The ISFIS Budget Workshop

Each year, ISFIS partners with Piper Jaffray and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to provide face-to-face budget workshops for business managers and superintendents.

The ISFIS budget workshops at Heartland AEA are Jan. 29 and Feb. 19. Cost to attend is $250 per district. Register online.

These hands-on workshops are an opportunity for leaders from each district to prepare their individual budgets in one highly productive day. Workshop participants will receive information about:

• The budget process, changes for the upcoming fiscal year, legislative update, and other items of general budget interest.
• Unspent Authorized Budget details and strategies to fully utilize categorical resources.
• A completed Certified Budget (once State Supplementary Assistance rate is set) and the strategies to set maximum certainty of the district’s property tax rate if SSA is not set by the publication deadline.
• Data and tools related to the budget process.
• District specific presentation based on the district’s certified budget file.
• A District Specific 5-Year Financial Projection Plan including a Sample Working Line Item Budget Template.
• Unlimited phone and email support about the Certified Budget.
• Complimentary assistance if a district’s budget is appealed to the State Appeal Board.

For more information, contact Marissa Gaal at marissa@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970 ext. 4. Register online at this link.

Plan Now to Join the Conversation at the 2018 Legislative Education Advocacy Day

School administrators from across Iowa will come together in January to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol. The 2018 Legislative Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies will be held on Jan. 30-31. See the details below and be sure to register!

Legislative Update
Jan. 30, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Prairie Meadows Hotel

Legislative Visits
Jan. 31, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Iowa State Capitol

Registration is open until Jan. 23 at this link.

Dec. 2017 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Dec. 2017 issue of the Each and Every Child Newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.