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
Each January/February, ISFIS partners with Piper Sandler and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to host ISFIS Budget Workshops. This is the 11th year of these hands-on workshops that provide the opportunity for superintendents, SBOs and their teams to prepare their individual district Certified Budget in one highly productive day. Districts will leave the workshop with a completed Certified Budget and will know all options for publications. Attendees also learn about sales and property tax debt and other variables affecting district finances.
Typically, ISFIS Budget Workshops are held in-person at an Iowa AEA location, but after much deliberation, we decided the 2021 workshops will be virtual to ensure safety for all involved.
ISFIS Budget Workshop
Jan. 25, 2021
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Virtual format
Cost to attend is $250 per district.
Register online at this link: https://www.iowaschoolfinance.com/Budget_workshops
For more information, contact Jen Albers at jen@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970.
The Chapter 103B training available on the AEA Learning Online training system has been revised and expected to be released on Jan. 11, permitting a final run-through with legal counsel. When the training goes live, it will be available in the catalog and entitled: 2021 Revision.
We have archived the former training, so while records of completion are still available from past participants, individuals can no longer register for the older training.
What is new in the training?
Among many things, the training has updated information on:
- Room clears (SF 2360 legislation passed in June 2020)
- New changes in the rules from November 2020
- Seclusion room requirements as well as requirements for supervision of students
- Debriefing meetings and notification requirements
- Time limitations for seclusion and restraint, and the process to extend time if more is needed
Who needs to be trained, and when?
The new requirements go into effect Jan. 20. The law states that employees engaging in seclusion or restraint have been trained prior to engaging. Thus, we recommend employees taking the training before Jan. 20, especially those with a higher likelihood of engaging in seclusion or restraint.
Keep in mind that incident documentation requires districts to identify when individuals involved in the seclusion or restraint were last trained. With the AEA Learning Online training system, you will be able to access that information.
How long does the training last?
While the standard disclaimer of text-based trainings vary depending on reading speed applies, we rate the training to take 45 minutes in length. As part of the training, we will link out to additional materials and videos which are optional.
A large thank you goes out to Ahlers' Law Firm (Des Moines), who was instrumental in the revisions and update for the training. For additional questions regarding the training itself, please contact Evan Abbey.
These sessions are open-ended conversations held via Zoom about concerns, barriers or learning around Standards-Based Learning (SBL) including Grading and Reporting. There will be allotted time for questions, conversation and networking. You may attend whatever sessions are of interest to you; you do not need to attend all sessions. Curriculum directors, principals, TLC leaders, Professional Learning leaders and members of SBL guiding teams can benefit from attending these sessions. Learn more about the learning opportunities and register at this link.
Matt Townsley: Secondary Level Standards Based Learning & Grading
Live Coaching Session via Zoom on Feb. 23 from 3-4 p.m.
This Google Classroom workshop consists of self-paced PD modules, access to resources, and videos of Matt Townsley, Ph.D., leading learning around SBL for Secondary Educators. Gain insights and information on reporting and grading at the secondary level. Then, participate in the end-of-course event on Feb. 23, which is a live, synchronous session with Dr. Townsley.
Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3sdGkv0
Cost: $25.00
Lee Ann Jung: Grading for Exceptional Learners
Live Coaching Session: April 28 from 3-4 p.m.
This Google Classroom workshop consists of PD modules, access to resources, and videos of Lee Ann Jung, Ph.D., sharing insights and leading learning around varied student groups. Gain information on inclusion and accommodations within the context of SBL, grading and reporting. Then, participate in the end-of-course event on April 28 which is a live, synchronous session with Dr. Jung.
Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3sdGkv0
Cost: $25.00
Mental health professionals from Iowa’s nine AEAs recently collaborated to create a website for Iowans who are searching for mental health assistance. The website at www.IowaAEAMentalHealth.org came from a request by the state legislature to help educators, parents and students navigate resources related to mental health and well-being in Iowa. In addition to AEA contacts for the schools, the site provides contacts for the home setting from Iowa’s Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS).
The website features vetted sources to educate visitors about addiction and substance abuse, anxiety and stress disorders, attention deficit disorder, depression, eating disorders and self-harm.
“A call was put out by educational committee legislators last year to offer support to Iowa families and educators in the area of mental health,” said Tom Lane, a lobbyist for Iowa’s AEAs. “The site was designed to alleviate the frustration of finding contacts for services. When educators visit the site, they will find a point of contact at their respective AEA and family members can reach out to mental health regions of MHDS.”
A listing of Iowa groups and agencies that advocate for children and families is part of an education component of the site, as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental health.
The site also provides information about proactive measures people can take for self-care.
“People who pay attention to their own physical and emotional health are better able to handle the challenges of supporting someone with mental health issues,” said Lane.
School employees are encouraged to check out the site, especially the “Find Support” page, in order to demonstrate how to navigate the resources. Schools should contact their local AEA for assistance with students who need mental health supports.
The Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues!
In this issue:
- Public Domain Day 2021 and The Great Gatsby
- Research in the Elementary Classroom Course
- Paraeducator Online Course
- New Ebooks and Digital Audiobooks
- Civil Discourse Online
- 1,500+ Full Videos of Stories and Literature
The Heartland AEA Math Minutes Newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues! In this issue…
- Dynamic Number Line Through Clothesline Math
- Mental Health and Wellbeing: What is your one word?
Join us Jan. 11 at 3:45 p.m. as Iowa’s AEAs across the state host networking sessions to support science instruction during face-to-face, blended and distance learning. This month’s topic is Phenomenon. The Zoom networking sessions are facilitated by AEA Science Consultants and are being held to provide learning and networking opportunities for science teachers across the state.
Register in advance for this session at this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Save these dates for upcoming networking sessions:
- February 1
- March 1
- April 12
- May 3
The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council selects some of the state’s and nation’s high-quality programs and offers their professional development/training and materials to Iowa educators through the STEM Scale-Up Program. Each year, the STEM Council equips thousands of educators with STEM programs that inspire nearly 100,000 Iowa youth.
One of the priorities of the STEM Council is to achieve STEM for All! That means, any formal or informal Iowa educator is eligible to apply. The STEM Scale-Up Program application is open for educators from Jan. 11 to March 5, 2021.
Click here to learn more about the programs
Click here to apply
Congress has approved, and President Trump signed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, along with the 2021 federal government budget set at $1.4 trillion, designed to help businesses, schools, supports for vaccine testing, distribution and contact tracing efforts, and direct payments of up to $600 to every adult and child. In addition to those provisions, the legislation provides $82 billion for education, four times the amount given to schools in the CARES Act. Read the full summary of the relief package.
The January 2021 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is available.
School districts and community colleges in Iowa have the opportunity to create shared positions for College and Career Transition Counselors (CCTCs) funded by a grant from the Iowa Department of Education. CCTCs are funded for three years and support college transition and career exploration for high school juniors and seniors.
Informational Webinar
Jan. 27
3-4 p.m.
Presented by the Iowa Department of Education Bureau of Technical Education in partnership with Iowa College Aid and AEA PREP.
Register at this link.
