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

 

Reminder: March 1 Heartland Administrators’ Association Meeting

The next Heartland Administrators' Association meeting will be held on March 1 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. The agenda features guest speakers Ricky Robertson and Victoria Romero who will present on building student resilience. Following the HAA meeting, join your colleagues for continued conversation into Collective Equity with content leaders from Corwin.

Join us on March 1 for Collective Equity Framework Overview

In January, an initial presentation on Collective Equity was given to Heartland AEA superintendents and several showed interest in possibly implementing this framework. Sonja Hollins-Alexander and Nicole Law, who presented at the January Superintendent’s meeting, will be giving a more comprehensive overview of the Collective Equity Framework via zoom during the afternoon of March 1. At the end of that session, Heartland AEA will be sharing a possible vision for working with districts and school leadership teams during the 2022-23 school year. We will also be getting feedback from those interested schools and districts on planning for future learning with Sonja and Nicole.

Date: March 1, 2022

Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

Zoom: https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/91310053858

Intended audience: Central Office Leaders and Building Leaders

Changes to the Computer Science Curriculum and Professional Development Grant for Districts from the DE

Summary: The Computer Science Professional Development Grant can cover equipment that is needed to implement the curriculum you are seeking and teacher stipends. There is no "set" list of equipment but you can contact the approved vendors for suggestions. Below the Iowa Department of Education also added instructions if you have already submitted a CS PD grant and you want to update it.

In addition to the new maximum potential award of $50,000 (up from $30,000) and the removal of equal grade band distributions, as of Feb. 14, 2022, awarded funds may now be used for additional related expenses. Those expenses include any necessary equipment tied to the approved curriculum in the grant as well as stipends for teachers participating in professional development during non-contract hours and substitute pay when teachers participate in professional development during contract hours.

Please Note:

1. There is not a "set" list of equipment purchases that will be approved, however, all approved vendors were provided an opportunity to supply items that would be associated with their offerings. Feel free to contact the vendor for questions.
2. Stipends and substitute pay will follow that of the SCRIPT grants. Maximum sub pay amount is $150/day based on the school's regular rate. Maximum stipend amount is $20/hour or $160/day, based on the school's regular rate. Stipends are only allowed for off-contract work.
3. If your district has already submitted a grant for the CS Professional Development funds, you may reach out to Justin Lewis, ask for it to be returned and then amend your grant for any additional funding for equipment, stipends and/or sub pay.

All information on the changes can be found on the Department's website and on the AEA’s Computer Science Information (see page 2, middle, yellow column). Please direct questions to Justin Lewis, Iowa Department of Education Computer Science Consultant.

Paraeducator Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language Begins June 1

This is the required course to receive the Paraeducator Certification Generalist II with the Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language (ESL).

Successful completion of the Paraeducator Generalist Certification course(s) is a prerequisite to receive a Level II certification (Area of Concentration). You must have been issued your Paraeducator Generalist Certificate by the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) prior to completing this course in order to use the credit from this course to renew your Paraeducator Generalist Certificate. Participants will gain knowledge, skills and strategies to assist and support ESL students.

This course is a hybrid, with three zoom sessions and online work to total 90 hours.

Title III funds will provide a stipend of $300 for all paraeducators who work with ELLs and who fulfill the course requirements and are currently employed by a public or non-public PreK-12 school in Heartland AEA 11. This option is not available for employees of Des Moines Public Schools. A reimbursement claim form will be available the last day of class.

Register at this link Course#179854 HL

June 1: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
June 11: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
June 25: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

The rest of the work will need to be completed between June 1 and June 30, 2022.

MISIC Conference to Focus on Key Challenges for Schools: Social-Emotional Learning, Equity, Quality Instruction and Technology

Register today to attend the 2022 MISIC Conference on March 7 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. “Reset & Reinvent: Rising to the Challenges,” will focus on key challenges for schools, including social-emotional learning, equity, engagement, quality instruction and technology. Lunch keynote is Stacey Cole, Superintendent of Storm Lake Schools. Check out the speaker lineup and breakout session topics, and register at this link.