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

  

Have you Registered for the Collective Equity Learning Series Coming in September?

Heartland AEA is proud to partner with thought leaders Drs. Nicole Law and Sonja Hollins-Alexander in providing the “Collective Equity Learning Series” for districts in the Heartland AEA service area. Law and Alexander are the authors of the Collective Equity Framework, published by Corwin. This series consists of four face-to-face learning dates, two virtual learning dates and one virtual coaching session for district teams.

Overview
When we create a learning community that works together through a collectivist lens of shared accountability, we begin to see how educators can convene around high expectations for all. The Collective Equity framework consists of the following dimensions: personal relational, professional, organizational and systemic. These dimensions empower learning communities to explore how their collaborative actions and decisions propel learning forward.

The Collective Equity Framework Includes:

• Considering all the dimensions we individually and collectively bring to school, including poverty, special needs, beliefs, values and more.
• Engaging in practices that fortify all members in the learning community as they develop a shared language, create a safe place for the work of equity and establish cultural sustainability.
• Activating the Collective Equity Organizational Analysis in a comprehensive process that informs the removal of organizational, instructional, programmatic and curricular barriers that impede the promise of equity.

*Presenters have reviewed HF802 and understand all content delivered has to meet the requirements in the law.

Dates:
In-person: Sept. 26 & 27 and Oct. 17, 2022, April 11 and June 12, 2023
Virtual: Nov. 14, 2022 (90-min. coaching session), Jan. 10 and Feb. 6, 2023

Registration:
Collective Equity Learning Series

More Information:
*View all dates and content overview*

Assistance with Redistricting is Now Available

Iowa redistricting is currently underway. Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral districts to equalize population between districts and is required by Iowa law following each decennial Census. If existing school director districts meet the standards in Iowa Code and the 2020 population between districts is still within the required parameters, existing districts can remain in place - though do still need to be recertified by the Iowa Secretary of State.

Redistricting Resources

Cornerstone
Owner Jodi Flory is an Experienced Geographic Information Systems Specialist with a 20+ year history of working with GIS mapping technologies and data analytics. Skilled in administering enterprise GIS for both municipal, county and state government operations. Extensive experience in legislative and local redistricting. Demonstrated experience with the ESRI suite of products in both desktop and web platforms. Superintendents may use this form to enter some basic information to request a meeting. This Frequently Asked Questions may also be helpful.

Jodi Flory
(970) 409-9238
jodiflory@gmail.com
Cornerstone website


Mapping Strategies
Mapping Strategies, LLC., is a data analytics firm focused on practical solutions to public policy issues. Mapping Strategies has provided redistricting services to school districts and is experienced in geographic information systems (GIS) projects. Jim Addy is a former Administrator of School Services and Information for the Iowa Department of Education. Jim oversaw departmental research, information technology, school finance, nutrition, health and transportation programs. Now the president of Mapping Strategies, Addy has personally provided spatial analysis solutions and redistricting for government jurisdictions.

Jim Addy
(515) 554-1049
info@mappingstrategies.com
Mapping Strategies website


Timeline

• Nov. 15, 2022 - First day that school boards can adopt a resolution redrawing director district boundaries
• May 15, 2023 - Deadline for school boards to complete redistricting
• July 1, 2023 - School director district boundaries become effective

Library & Digital Resources Newsletter is Now Available

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter:

• Oct. 11 Teacher Librarian Conference
• Personal Streaming Services in the Classroom
• OneClick: Organizing Apps
• New Ebooks Added
• Top 10 Collaboration Ideas
• Professional Learning: Sept. 20
• Professional Learning: Oct. 3
• OneClick and Changing District Links

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.

Registration Link
Course #182253 HL
Dates and Time: Oct. 6 and Oct. 20, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA


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.

Registration Link
Course #181277 HL
Dates and Time: Sept. 16 and Sept. 30, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Educational Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA


Maximize Your Data
Within the MTSS Framework, participants will learn how to maximize the use of several available Iowa data sets including:

• Panorama Student Success - including Early Warning System (EWS) and Conditions for Learning
• FastBridge
• Iowa School Performance Profile
• Postsecondary

Participants will:

• gain a better understanding of the purpose and design of each data source
• learn how to interpret each data source
• describe connections among the data sources
• prepare for leadership of each data source within the school or district

Registration Link: #203942 HL - Maximize Your Data
Dates and Time: Nov. 18 and Nov. 21, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA

Figuring Out Math Fluency

This course will engage participants in conversation and learning around math fluency. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of what procedural fluency is and is not. We will identify which utilities, reasoning strategies and automaticities to attend to while teaching. Participants will have a robust collection of routines, games and other activities that support a fluency agenda. We will also explore techniques for assessing all components of fluency.

Register at this link: https://bit.ly/3S2P0jM

Class dates: Oct. 27, Nov. 16, Dec. 15, Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 23 & April 13

Via Zoom
1 credit
License renewal