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

Explore & Implement the Iowa Standards for School Leaders

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are ready to help you and your district administrators in learning about and implementing the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL 2021). We’ve put together three different options so you can choose the learning that best fits your needs. By partnering as a system, we establish common outcomes, resources, and learning opportunities for school leaders around the new school leader standards.

• Asynchronous Modules
• Micro Learning Opportunities
• Face-to-Face Sessions

Refer to this document for more information or contact Amy Wichman, Director of Instructional Services, for assistance.

Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter is Now Available

The Heartland AEA Literacy newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues!

In this issue:

• Updates from the State around FASTbridge
• Data-based Decision Making
• Putting the Science of Reading into Practice
• Learning Bit by Bit
• Books we recommend
• Professional Learning Opportunities

MTSS Elementary and Secondary MTSS Academies, Coming Soon!

An Academy for Elementary Schools: MTSS
Are you seeking clarity on how to be more efficient and effective in building a system of supports for all students and staff? The Academy is designed to provide leadership teams with the knowledge and resources to improve academic and behavior outcomes for ALL students. You will develop a common understanding of the Five Essential Components of a Multi-tiered System of Supports. In an era of accelerating student learning and providing for student well-being, Iowa schools need a school improvement framework to guide this work. Teams will focus on developing action plans to fully implement MTSS at the building level. Ongoing supports will be provided.

Class dates are Sept. 30 & Oct. 11, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Heartland AEA 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston.

Registration Link

Course #182253 HL

Elementary leadership teams to include administrators, classroom teachers, teacher leaders, school counselors, interventionists, special education teachers.


An Academy for Middle Schools and High Schools: Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports
Are you seeking clarity on how to be more efficient and effective in building a system of supports for all students and staff? The Academy is designed to provide leadership teams with the knowledge and resources to improve academic and behavioral/social-emotional outcomes for ALL students. You will develop a common understanding of the Five Essential Components of a Multi-tiered System of Supports. In an era of accelerating student learning and student well-being, Iowa schools need a school improvement framework to guide this work. Teams will focus on developing action plans to fully implement MTSS at the building level. Ongoing supports will be provided.

Class dates are Oct. 15 & 22, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston.

Registration Link

Course #181277 HL 

Middle school and high school leadership teams to include administrators, content teachers and teachers who support systems work (TLC, Counselor, At-Risk, ALT).

Universal Protocol for Accommodations in Reading Available to Iowa Schools at No Cost

Iowa’s AEAs and the Department of Education are pleased to announce that we are providing access to uPAR, Universal Protocol for Accommodations in Reading, at no cost to schools. uPAR is an online screening tool that can be administered to groups of students to capture data showing how each student learns best.

Benefits of uPAR:

• Set up a group of students in minutes
• Administer to up to 30 students in one class period
• Evaluations can occur virtually or in the classroom
• Automatic scoring
• Individual and group data can easily be sorted

Getting Started

1. Complete this form to request implementation of uPAR at your school. 
2. Review the uPAR Implementation Guide.

For more information, contact Wendy Robinson, Director of Instructional Services, or a member of your school’s support team for further assistance.

Support for Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities & Iowa Alternate Assessment

The Iowa Department of Education (DE) has sent out information about the 2021-22 Alternate Assessment Requirements and timelines. To be added to the DE emails and Google Site of resources, contact Jennifer Denne. A summary of timelines, some additional resources for teachers, and 2021-22 Professional Development opportunities through Heartland AEA are available here.

Scholarship Alert for Graduating Iowa Seniors: USJCI Foundation Senate Scholarship Applications are Now Being Accepted

Applications are now being taken for the United States Junior Chamber International Senate Foundation Scholarship Program. Graduating high school seniors in Iowa are eligible to apply. Each year $1,000 national grants will be awarded to graduating high school seniors in the United States, who plan to continue their education at accredited post-secondary colleges, universities or vocational schools.

The Iowa JCI program will be honoring three high school seniors with at least a $100 scholarship and send the top two forward to USJCI national judging, where the top 33 national seniors will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 14, 2022. For more information, see this scholarship program flyer and application checklist or contact John Buttolph at (515) 290-0383.