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
Heartland AEA is beginning year three of the online Request for Transportation Approval process.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
Please review the instructions and timelines to complete the process for 2017-18, including the video tutorials. Districts are asked to begin the multi-step process this month. For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at jugolini@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
The Drake Continual Improvement Network will pilot a program to coach up to 10 school principals during the 2017-18 school year, at no cost, in order to support principals for the purpose of improving results.
The program consists of:
- Summer orientation seminar
- 9, 60-min. coaching sessions focused on cycles of improvement, leadership acumen and topic areas of interest
- 2 leadership improvement seminars
- Culmination experience seminar
Participating principals may earn two license renewal credits (30 hours contact time).
For more information, contact Dr. Doug Stilwell, Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership, Drake University at doug.stilwell@drake.edu or (515) 418-5363.
Des Moines Public Schools and Drake University are teaming up to bring you Transforming Systems Through Standards-Based Learning on June 22 at the Iowa Events Center. Topics covered include implementing standards-referenced learning, including grading and reporting, over a large district, specific learning sessions for administrators, small school strategy on system transformation and aligning student information systems with standards-based learning.
The conference is designed for secondary and elementary educators who are starting authentic standards-based learning (including grading & reporting), teachers who are trying things on their own, and those who are looking for new ideas to try.
Transforming Systems through Standards-Based Learning
Date: June 22, 2017
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Iowa Events Center, 730 3rd St, Des Moines
Registration Link
The U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill this week that would change Medicaid’s structure and impact the ability of students with disabilities and students in poverty to receive many critical health services in schools that enable them to learn. It’s anticipated that the bill will be out of Committee and onto the floor of the House by Monday. Then, it will be the Senate’s turn to act and Senate GOP officials are saying that they hope to have it to the President’s desk by mid-April. Because they are using Budget Reconciliation, only a simple majority is needed in both chambers. You are encouraged to call your U.S. Representatives to express your comments on this legislation. The Association of Education Service Agencies and AASA, The School Superintendents Association have provided a Federal Advocacy Toolkit and Snapshot of Children’s Coverage for your use.
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.
University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy & Environmental Education and a team of UNI students are launching a statewide public education campaign to significantly reduce the cosmetic use of pesticides and weed killers on school grounds, parks and childcare centers. Diverse lawns are healthy, protect child health and local streams, provide habitat for pollinators and cost less. They present compelling evidence that these common weedkillers work in opposition to early childhood education. UNI will gladly assist school districts that are interested to consider their options and plan toward significant reduction. For more information, contact Kamyar Enshayan at Kamyar.Enshayan@uni.edu or (319) 273-7575.
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.
All Iowa public school teachers and administrators are encouraged to provide feedback on a Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) survey. The findings from the survey will allow the Iowa Department of Education to determine if TLC is making progress toward achieving its intended goals. In addition, feedback will be used by the Commission on Educator Leadership and Compensation and the Statewide TLC Support Group to determine support for districts and to make recommendations on the system as a whole. Participation in the survey is voluntary, but highly encouraged. The survey closes April 7.
