Happy Holidays!

Heartland AEA Curriculum Network Meets Jan. 4

The next Heartland AEA Curriculum Network meeting is Jan. 4 at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, in Johnston. The meeting will be shorter and will be held from 8:30 - 10:15 a.m. Iowa Testing Programs will kick off the meeting with an ISASP update. The Iowa Department of Education will provide an ESSA update and hopefully share guidance on the new financial literacy requirement. Margaret Buckton will end the meeting with a legislative update. More specific information and the Zoom link can be found in the agenda.

Past agendas and video recordings of the meetings can be found on the Curriculum Network Google site.

Save These Dates! Heartland AEA Curriculum Network Schedule 2018-19
Meetings are from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

• Feb. 1, 2019
• March 1, 2019
• April 5, 2019
• May 3, 2019

Iowa’s AEAs Have Partnered with McREL to Offer the Iowa Leadership Academy Beginning in June 2019

The Iowa School Leadership Academy will give school leadership teams in-depth strategies and guidance from McREL’s research- and evidence-based knowledge sets of Balanced Leadership, What Matters Most, and Curiosity Works.

School districts are encouraged to consider bringing a team(s) of 3-6 leaders who can learn and work collaboratively around the presented course content and be willing to engage in this work within their respective districts. The cost is $400 per person. The first 200 members of SAI who register will receive a $50 discount on registration. This course meets the requirements for Evaluator Approval II. Please be sure to sign up for this certification during the registration process.

View the academy flyer for session dates and locations, learning content and links to registration.

Join Us for Standards-Based Learning Framework Friday on Jan. 4

EdCamp-style workshops are being held throughout the 2018-19 school year to provide additional learning, collaboration and conversation for those interested in Standards-Based Learning (SBL) Including Grading and Reporting. The workshops coincide with specific strands of the Standards-Based Learning Framework developed by Heartland AEA. You can attend whatever sessions are of interest to you; you do not need to attend all of them. Come learn with us!

Standards-Based Learning Framework Fridays
Next Session: Jan. 4
12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Visit our website to learn more and register

Mark your calendars for the remaining spring 2019 Framework Fridays:

• Feb. 1
• March 1
• April 5
• May 3

Expect to Go Absolutely ALL IN on Learning During Trevor Ragan’s Upcoming Workshop on Growth Mindset

A national leader in growth mindset, Trevor Ragan will lay out the science, unpack the nuts and bolts, and (most importantly) show you how to run with it all in the area of growth mindset. Trevor will help you explore learning, motor learning, feedback, growth mindset culture, jungle tigers, failure and more!

Trevor values learning and seeks out the scientists and thought leaders in the world of development, consumes their research and discoveries, connects the dots, and shares it with anyone who will listen. This workshop is for all educators!

Teaching a Growth Mindset to Achieve Success for All Learners
March 5, 2019
DMACC, Student Center, Bldg. 5, 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Register by Feb. 18, 2019 at this link: https://goo.gl/8KjYZ4
Target Audience: All Educators

For more information, contact: Jim Verlengia, Ed.D., Director of Leadership Supports at Heartland AEA at jverlengia@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14388.

Heartland AEA Leadership Series
Trevor Ragan’s presentation is part of the Heartland AEA 2018-19 Leadership Series. Some of today’s most intriguing, innovative and influential leaders from around the country share their background, insight and knowledge in this new series for educators. Speakers will candidly share their experiences, discuss challenges that have impacted their work and provide a unique opportunity to learn from their hands-on experiences.

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 Holiday Office Closings & Van Delivery Schedule

Please note the following schedule as you plan to place orders through Creative Services and our library and use our van mail. Due to winter break, all Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public Dec. 24, 2018 through Jan. 1, 2019.

• Regular van delivery: Dec. 17 - 21
• No van delivery: Dec. 24 - Jan. 1
• Regular van delivery resumes: Jan. 2

AEA Customer Survey Open to Iowa Educators Until Dec. 21

Iowa’s AEAs are conducting a customer survey of educators with the goal of better understanding stakeholder awareness of and satisfaction with AEA services.

The deadline to complete the survey has been extended until Dec. 21.
Please encourage educators in your districts to participate in this survey, as feedback is critical to ensuring Iowa’s AEAs continue to provide quality services to local schools.

Take the survey before Dec. 14: https://bit.ly/2RVBUWx

Iowa's AEAs have partnered with Hanover Research to administer and analyze this survey. Hanover Research is an independent market research firm based in Washington, D.C., and is in no way affiliated with any other entity or organization. Your responses are completely anonymous and will be kept strictly confidential, so please be as open and honest as possible. The survey should take approximately 15 min. to complete.

Have You Registered for the 2019 AEA Legislative Advocacy Event? And Taken the Survey?

Iowa’s AEAs will host the Legislative Advocacy Event on Feb. 4-5, 2019 at Prairie Meadows. This event will take the place of the regularly scheduled Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) February meeting. Registration and more details available at: https://www.smore.com/h04a9.

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey by Jan. 18. Information from this survey will be used to create talking points for our time with legislators.

Join Us for Standards-Based Learning “Framework Friday” on Jan. 4

EdCamp-style workshops are being held throughout the 2018-19 school year to provide additional learning, collaboration and conversation for those interested in Standards-Based Learning (SBL) Including Grading and Reporting. The workshops coincide with specific strands of the Standards-Based Learning Framework developed by Heartland AEA. You can attend whatever sessions are of interest to you; you do not need to attend all of them. Come learn with us!

Standards-Based Learning Framework Fridays
Next Session: Jan. 4
12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Visit our website to learn more and register

Mark your calendars for the 2019 Framework Fridays:

• Feb. 1
• March 1
• April 5
• May 3

Tammy Heflebower to Present the Next Strand of Standards-based Learning: Targets, Scales and Rubrics

Teachers, curriculum directors, instructional coaches and other educators are invited to learn more about Standards-based Learning (SBL) Targets, Scales and Rubrics from Tammy Heflebower, Ed.D.

In this session, Dr. Heflebower will focus primarily on the creation of proficiency scales and their place in the broader, upfront work of deconstructing standards and the understanding and development of aligned assessments. She will speak of how proficiency scales fit into the instructional cycle and into the learning partnership between teacher and students. The work of creating proficiency scales is a seismic shift from our past practices of using a 100-point grading scale which converts points given to percentages.

For more information, contact Susie Bentley, Heartland AEA Regional Director, at sbentley@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 Ext. 18114.

Strand of SBL Framework: Learning Targets, Scales & Rubrics
Feb. 28, 2019
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, IA
Register at https://goo.gl/TzmVQt by Feb. 1, 2019

DMACC Urban Campus Surplus Available

DMACC Urban Campus has 20 tables (18” x 5’) with a gray laminate top available for surplus. If your school is interested in these tables, contact Julie Klocke, DMACC Sourcing Specialist at jaklocke1@dmacc.edu.

Heartland AEA Holiday Office Closings & Van Delivery Schedule

Please note the following schedule as you plan to place orders through Creative Services and our library and use our van mail. Due to winter break, all Heartland AEA offices will be closed to the public Dec. 24, 2018 through Jan. 1, 2019.

• Regular van delivery: Dec. 17 - 21
• No van delivery: Dec. 24 - Jan. 1
• Regular van delivery resumes: Jan. 2

AEA Customer Survey Open to Iowa Educators Until Dec. 14

Last week, Iowa’s AEAs emailed a survey to local educators with the goal of better understanding stakeholder awareness of and satisfaction with AEA services. Please encourage your educators to participate in this survey, as feedback is critical to ensuring Iowa’s AEAs continue to provide quality services to local schools.

Take the survey: https://bit.ly/2RVBUWx

Iowa's AEAs have partnered with Hanover Research to administer and analyze this survey. Hanover Research is an independent market research firm based in Washington, D.C., and is in no way affiliated with any other entity or organization. Your responses are completely anonymous and will be kept strictly confidential, so please be as open and honest as possible. The survey should take approximately 15 min. to complete. The survey will close on Dec. 14, 2018. If you have any questions, contact Cate Keller at Hanover Research.

Iowa's AEAs Are Looking for a New Executive Director

The Iowa Area Education Agency (AEA) system is seeking applicants for the full-time position of Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Area Education Agencies (IAAEA) who will be responsible for leading, managing, guiding and administering the goals of the AEA Chief Administrators, including the direction and operation of all IAAEA programs, services, finances and personnel resources. Position details are located on the Iowa AEA website. Application deadline is Jan. 18.

Has Your District Created Your Portrait of a Graduate?

Many school systems across the country have engaged their larger community in developing a Portrait of a Graduate, a collective vision that articulates the community's aspirations for all students. Locally developed, but globally positioned, the Portrait of a Graduate serves as a North Star for system transformation. Providing strategic direction for the redesign of the overall educational experience for students, this collective vision reinvigorates and re-engages students, teachers, and community stakeholders.

Come by yourself or with a small team to learn processes and tools to use back in your district with stakeholders as you engage in the work of creating your own Portrait of a Graduate. Ask questions of the facilitator who has gone through the work herself and share in the collaboration with other about how we can engage our communities in this important work.

Facilitating a Portrait of a Graduate
Dec. 13, 2018
12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Register for this free workshop at this link: https://goo.gl/gmX4h9

Get The Scoop on Iowa’s Gifted and Talented Programming in This FREE Workshop at Heartland AEA

Gifted & Talented 101: Gifted Students, Programming & MTSS for Advanced Learners
Jan. 11, 2019
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA

This workshop is designed for K-12 general education teachers, instructional coaches and administrators who are interested in gaining background knowledge about Gifted and Talented (GT) programming in Iowa.

Topics covered will include:

• Iowa Code requirements for GT programs
• Characteristics of gifted students
• Best practices and resources for educators, including an overview of the new MTSS Advanced Learner Facilitation Guide

Register at this link: https://goo.gl/RsKCoH
There is no registration fee for this workshop.

Course Instructor: Kyra Wilcox-Conley, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant with Heartland AEA

Advanced Learner Multi-tiered System of Support Guide Workshop Coming in January

The Iowa Department of Education, in collaboration with Heartland AEA is offering at no cost an opportunity to learn about the MTSS for Advanced Learner Guide and ways to begin implementing its use for K-12 grade classroom teachers. The Advanced Learner Multi-tiered System of Support Guide was created to assist classroom teachers, ensuring all students are appropriately challenged. The Guide is written content neutral and can be used across disciplines for K-12 grade learners. 

Districts are encouraged to bring teams comprised of general education elementary classroom teachers, secondary educators, a counselor, teacher leaders, a building administrator and the g/t teachers. District teams will have time to work on a district/building plan throughout the day.

Advanced Learner MTSS Guide Training
Jan. 23, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Register for this free workshop at this link: https://goo.gl/cjd2Qo

Tammy Heflebower to Present the Next Strand of Standards-based Learning: Targets, Scales and Rubrics

Teachers, curriculum directors, instructional coaches and other educators are invited to learn more about Standards-based Learning (SBL) Targets, Scales and Rubrics from Tammy Heflebower, Ed.D.

In this session, Dr. Heflebower will focus primarily on the creation of proficiency scales and their place in the broader, upfront work of deconstructing standards and the understanding and development of aligned assessments. She will speak of how proficiency scales fit into the instructional cycle and into the learning partnership between teacher and students. The work of creating proficiency scales is a seismic shift from our past practices of using a 100-point grading scale which converts points given to percentages.

For more information, contact Susie Bentley, Heartland AEA Regional Director, at sbentley@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 Ext. 18114.

Strand of SBL Framework: Learning Targets, Scales & Rubrics
Feb. 28, 2019
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
FFA Enrichment Center 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, IA

Register at https://goo.gl/TzmVQt by Feb. 1, 2019

Share This Monthly Networking Opportunity with Your Parents and Caregivers of Students with Special Needs

Parents and caregivers of students with special needs: join us for “Conversation & Coffee,” our monthly morning coffee group! Learn about community resources and upcoming events and network with parents who have similar experiences and challenges.

Mark your calendar for these 2018-19 meeting dates!

• Dec. 20, 2018
• Jan. 17, 2019
• Feb. 21, 2019
• March 14, 2019 (due to Spring Break)
• April 18, 2019
• May 16, 2019

Conversation & Coffee meets the third Thursday of each month from 9:30 - 11 a.m. at the 100th Street Corner Café in Urbandale.

RSVP appreciated but not necessary: Kari Paulsen, Family & Educator Coordinator, Heartland AEA, at kpaulsen@heartlandaea.org or (515) 270-9030 ext. 14493.

Dec. 2018 School Leader Update

The Dec. 2018 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.

Resources for Support Following Release of ESSA Designations

Designation Questions
This week, superintendents were informed of the ESSA designations for their schools through a form email. Some districts didn’t have schools in either the Targeted or Comprehensive categories. For questions about the designations, contact Jay Pennington at the Iowa Department of Education at jay.pennington@iowa.gov.

Heartland AEA’s ESSA Administrator Session - Dec. 20
Administrators of buildings/districts with schools that have been designated in need of either Targeted or Intensive supports are invited to attend Heartland AEA’s ESSA Administrator Session on Dec. 20 in Johnston. The day-long information and planning session provides administrators with an opportunity to become familiar with:

• Our collaborative work and alignment with existing practices/resources
• ESSA Accountability Index, designations, calculations, what it means and how to explain it
• Communication toolkit to support sharing information with your board, staff, parents, community and legislators
• ESSA contacts and support from the Department of Education and Area Education Agencies
• ESSA Administrator Organizer as a planner to ensure access to all required and optional supports
• Supports available, including the purpose, access, importance, who should be involved and challenges/solutions
• Discussion of next steps

Connections will be made across all schools, and DE and AEA staff will be available to answer questions. Registration information can be found in the Master Schedule for ESSA Trainings.

Additional Resources

• ESSA Communication Folder contains resources for use with staff and communities
• ESSA talking points