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

Research Shows Virus Undetectable on Five Highly Circulated Library Materials After Three Days

In the first phase of a project to disseminate and develop science-based information about how materials can be handled to mitigate exposure to staff and visitors, scientists have found that the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 is not detectable on five common library materials after three days.

The findings are part of the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project designed to generate scientific information to support the handling of core museum, library, and archival materials as these institutions begin to resume operations and reopen to the public. The first phase of the research is focusing on commonly found and frequently handled materials, especially in U.S. public libraries.

Read more about the findings here and follow along with the REALM project here.

Special Education Return to Learn Resources Released

The documents below were released on June 25, 2020 on the Return to Learn google site (Special Education). Since there was not any formal Return to Learn webinar describing these materials, links and descriptions of the resources are included below.

FERPA, IEPs, and Virtual Learning - This document is intended to answer common questions regarding obligations to meet FERPA requirements while serving learners with disabilities through virtual learning (i.e., Continuous Learning).

Electronic Signatures: E-Signatures for Informed Consent for Services in Special Education - This support document provides reminders of when consent is needed for IDEA administrative procedures and suggestions for ways to obtain the electronic signature. The information provided here is not to be confused with consent to receive electronic information or privacy requirements for provision of teleservices.

Considerations for Acquiring Technology to Ensure Access of Students Receiving Special Education - This document contains technology acquisition considerations developed to assist administrators in planning for the need and acquisition of instructional and assistive technology, ensuring that all learners have the tools they require to participate and make progress in the Iowa Core Standards. The following are a series of checklists organized by end user or grade level:

Technology Skills Checklist: PK-2 Learners with Disabilities with Family/Caregiver Support

Technology Skills Checklist: Grades 3-12 Learners with Disabilities

Technology Skills Checklist: Grades 3-12 Family/Caregiver Support of Learners with Disabilities

Technology Skills Checklist: Special Educator

Technology Skills Checklist: General Educator

Technology Skills Checklist: Paraprofessional

This first release of documents listed above is focused on equitable access to technology and special education. A second release of documents is scheduled for July 9 and will focus on resources for IEP Teams. A third and final release of documents is planned for late July/early August that will focus on resources that will be helpful for teachers serving students in special education.

Preschool Programs & Services Return to Learn Resources Released

The documents below were released on June 25, 2020 on the Return to Learn google site (Preschool). Since there was not any formal Return to Learn webinar describing these materials, links and descriptions of the resources are included below.

Preschool Resources for Return-to-Learn - This document supports district and community preschool partner locations implementing Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (IQPPS) in preschool programming and services for young children and families in their local communities.

Considerations for Preschool Programs and Services for Return-to-Learn - This document provides suggestions and recommendations for districts and their community partners to consider as a local Return-to-Learn plan is designed in the local community context. While considerations representing IQPPS are provided, many topics and concepts may also inform programs implementing other approved preschool program standards and applicable programming requirements.

Instructional Tech PD & Learning Opportunities Announced for Summer and Fall

Heartland AEA Educators, are you looking for virtual learning opportunities over the summer or this Fall? Check out our new Instructional Technology Virtual Learning/Hybrid Learning Guide.

Personalizing Your Professional Learning with Digital Connections
Featuring a webinar with Sarah Thomas, Ph.D., Regional Technology Coordinator, Loyola University. Begins July 5. Register at this link: https://bit.ly/2NmIjKi

Check out all of the summer courses!

Need help?Contact our Instructional Tech team!

Wellness Weekly, a Shareable Resource for Districts

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:

• 5 Natural Ways to Boost Your Mental Health During Stressful Times
• 8 Steps to Combat Video Conference Fatigue
• Apps & Other Stuff: How to Tame Stress and Eliminate Reactivity in Less Than 8 Weeks
• Funnies: Returning to Work After Quarantine

COVID Recovery IOWA Offers Free Counseling to Any Iowan Affected by COVID-19

The State of Iowa has received nearly $1 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offer free, virtual counseling to any Iowan who has been affected, in any way, by the COVID-19 public health emergency. COVID Recovery Iowa is available via video, chat or phone to Iowans of all ages and also provides groups online to find support and learn new strategies to cope with the effects of the pandemic in a variety of creative ways.

The program also offers a number of activities, including yoga, cooking classes, parent resources and more. Virtual support groups are available for parents and for pre-teens. Parents, your group will meet via Zoom on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. The pre-teen support group will meet via Zoom on Mondays at 4:30 and Thursdays at 1. Find out more by emailing Chelsea.Siefken@pathwaysb.org.

Iowans can access services through the following options:

• Call (800) 447-1985 to connect with a counselor specializing in rural issues and agriculture 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Call the Iowa Warm Line at (844) 775-9276 to connect with a peer counselor or request to get in touch with a COVID Recovery Iowa counselor
• Visit www.COVIDrecoveryiowa.org and complete a contact form and a counselor will get back to you

Facebook Twitter Instagram: COVID Recovery Iowa

DE Guidance: District Responsibilities to English Learners During COVID-19, Reopening Districts and School Activities July 1

District Responsibilities to English Learners During COVID-19

The Iowa Department of Education is releasing two new documents related to state and district responsibilities to English learners (ELs) during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as a parent notice template. The details of each of the documents are described below.

Providing Services to English Learners (ELs) During the COVID-19 Outbreak Fact Sheet - Builds on the U.S. Department of Education’s May 18, 2020 fact sheet regarding the roles of states and districts in providing services to ELs during COVID-19-related school closures.

Home Language Survey Follow-Up Interview for Provisional Identification of ELs - Provides a protocol for provisionally identifying students as ELs during the COVID-19-related school closures.

2019-20 EL Program Provisional Identification and Placement Parental Notification Template - Provides a customizable template for districts to use when notifying parents and/or legal guardians about provisional placement decisions and related instructional services and supports.

Reopening Districts and School Activities July 1

New reopening guidance has been created in partnership between the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Public Health as a resource for administrators to safely open districts and nonpublic schools and resume all school activities starting July 1. The guidance outlines health and safety requirements, illness reporting procedures and school district closure authority if the Governor proclaims a public health disaster. In addition, new Return-to-Learn supports are available on the Return-to-Learn Google site. You can find new items under special education, data, health and safety, and preschool.


The DE will continue to keep you informed of any new updates. All current guidance is included on the COVID-19 Guidance and Information page on their website with translated versions of documents available on the Translated COVID-19 Guidance and Information Documents page. In addition, recordings of the previous Zoom sessions can be found on their YouTube channel or on their COVID-19 Webinar Recordings for PK-12 School Administrators in Iowa webpage (along with PowerPoint slides as applicable).