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
Did you know that almost 60% of seniors in the Class of 2020 are reconsidering their postsecondary school choice due to COVID-19 closures? That’s over 20,000 Iowa high school seniors. Do you know how many of your students are reconsidering their plans?
While many of you are already connecting with your graduating seniors, AEA PREP is sharing this resource to assist you in organizing and focusing your response to the needs of your seniors as we close out the 2020 school year.
The attached document provides step-by-step strategies to ensure the Class of 2020 successfully pursues their postsecondary plans and includes resources to collect data or use existing data from your seniors to organize follow-up supports. These are Iowa-specific resources, adapted from this National College Attainment Network (NCAN) document.
This work should be done in collaboration with a team of educators consisting of school personnel with additional capacity or existing relationships with students who can share in this work. Additionally, the information collected in this process will help your school complete the post-graduation plans required for state reporting (SRI).
If you have questions about this message or the attachment, please send messages to questions@aeaprep.org.
Polk County Health Services is hosting a webinar series for schools and businesses as we begin to look at returning to school and work. The “Cultivating Resilience: Mental Health Supports in the Workplace/in Schools” will be a short, interactive refresher on cultivating resilience in the classroom and at work! This webinar will cover a return to learn plan that:
- Gives tactical examples to help employees return to work
- Adds extra support as many have experienced fear, trauma, grief or depression due to COVID-19
- Informs about mental health and social emotional learning and the importance of connections
- Helps you find a new normal post-pandemic
To sign up for the webinar follow the links below!
Schools
Workplaces
In an effort to support the well-being of districts, educators, students and families, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring you, "Wellness Weekly," a weekly series dedicated to all things wellness and well-being.
Check out the Wellness Weekly site every week for well-being resources, tips and fun and share with colleagues and families!
This week features:
- 25 Daily Affirmations to Improve Your Mindset
- Daily Stretches You Should Practice When Working from Home
- The Positive Psychology Podcast - Bringing the Science of Happiness to Your Earbuds
- Talking Dog Gives Tips on Living Right During the Coronavirus Crisis
Apoyos de Educación Especial Para Escuelas Públicas de Iowa Durante COVID-19
The Spanish version of the Special Education Supports is now available. It has also been added to the top of the Special Education Supports and the individual enrichment opportunities have been added as well. The Spanish version has also been added to the COVID-19 resources on our website.
Last week the Iowa Department of Education announced the release of new resources to support districts and schools as they work on their Return-to-Learn Plans. These resources have been developed jointly by the Department with Iowa’s AEAs and can be found on a new Iowa Return to Learn Support site. Use the headings at the top of the home page to navigate to the area you want to explore.
New Releases:
Required Continuous Learning
- R2L Tech Integration Framework for Online Instruction
Iowa Academic Standards
- Unit Acceleration Planning Activity
- Planning Protocol for Accelerated Learning
Social-Emotional-Behavioral Health (SEBH)
- SEBH R2L toolkit
- SEBH R2L action planning tool (to be used with toolkit)
Health & Safety
- AEA Learning Online Module R2L: Health and Safety - District Leadership Teams
These resources are provided for your convenience and are not required. The Department will continue to provide new resources on the site multiple times each week, so check back frequently.
