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

May 4 HAA Meeting Reminder & In-Person Attendance Option Plus Guest Speaker Tim Hoskins

The next HAA meeting will be held on May 4 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. (Agenda) The meeting will be held via Zoom with an in-person option at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Rooms 107A/B. (Calendar invites were already sent to superintendents and include the zoom link.) Covid mitigation efforts are in place, including masks and social distancing. Those who wish to attend in person, please add your name to this list, so we can ensure room capacity.

The meeting will feature guest speaker Tim Hoskins, President of Quester. He will lead us through an informative, interactive and thought-provoking discussion to better understand the anticipated impacts of automation and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as help us think about how we overcome barriers in our systems to better prepare our students for the future.

Tim leads a talented team of strategists, researchers, developers, and innovators who keep Quester at the forefront of the strategy and insights industry. He has been instrumental in the ongoing development of Quester’s artificial intelligence technology that enables new and unique approaches to solving client-side research objectives such as innovation, concept development, brand positioning, segmentation, and path to purchase.

Registration is OPEN for our Heart of Innovation Summer Summit!

The Heart of Innovation Summer Summit on June 15 and 16 is a FREE virtual conference for educators -- designed to enhance your learning and support your work to incorporate new and innovative strategies into your practice. Earn one graduate credit! Be one of the first 50 people to register and receive a Summer Summit Swag Bag!

But wait, there’s more!
Would you like to present at the Summer Summit? Consider submitting a session proposal.

Are you looking to earn credits or learn more about teaching and learning with technology? Check out the course listing in our newsletter!

FastBridge Registration for 2021-22 AEA Subsidy Available for Grades K-8

This year Iowa’s AEAs again will be subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their DE-provided FAST subscriptions that includes the expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6, and literacy, math and behavior for grades 7 & 8. Participation is available both to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in previous years and those that want to use it for the first time in 2021-22. The registration window closes May 7, 2021. More details are available here.

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Newsletter is Now Available

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:

• Last Call for DVD Give-Away
• NOVA Wonders
• New Tales2Go Digital Audiobooks
• Critical Thinking and Fake News
• New Ebooks
• School Libraries and Iowa Computer Science Standards
• Heartland AEA Newsletters

Summer Professional Learning Opportunities Coming This June and July

In an effort to diminish or limit the spread of COVID-19, most of our summer classes will be offered through video conferencing and online formats. We are offering a limited number of face-to-face courses. Heartland AEA consultants will continue to partner with districts to offer professional learning in the schools they serve. There are a variety of courses available through Iowa’s AEAs as well. Please refer to this document for additional information and links to course catalogs.