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

 

Superintendent Update January 2025

Welcome to Iowa’s AEAs January Superintendent Update. This update provides important information from Iowa’s AEAs within the Educational Services, Media Services, AEA Purchasing, Technology Services and Special Education Services areas. In this issue:

• Preparing for a Successful 2025-26 School Year
• Iowa's AEAs Partner with Zoom to Support Schools with Cloud-Based Phone Services
• Place Your Winter Paper Buy: Big Savings and a Wide Selection!

Planning Ahead for 2025-26: Collaborating to Support Teachers and Students

Last spring, AEA administrators collaborated with district leaders to identify and refine services for the 2024-25 school year, ensuring robust support for teachers and students. Despite the challenges posed by the late legislative session and the significant changes introduced in House File 2612, we worked diligently within a tight timeline to assess 2023-24 services and develop an effective plan for the upcoming school year. Our primary goal remains steadfast: to ensure you feel supported in every aspect of your district's work.

Looking ahead, we are pleased to share that district service planning meetings for the 2025-26 school year will begin in late January and early February. While it may feel early, this proactive approach is essential. Early planning ensures that our meetings are productive, efficient and focused on aligning AEA resources with your district’s priorities. It also provides the necessary time for staff allocation and resource planning to best meet your needs. Please see Iowa's AEAs 2025-26 Portfolio of Services.

Your collaboration and commitment is vital to this process, and we are grateful for your partnership. We look forward to working with you!

Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources Newsletter Features Research into NotebookLM

The Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources Newsletter is now available. In this issue:

• Digital Resource and Library Usage
• What!? (Create Your Own Adventure)
• What!? (new NotebookLM features for researchers)
• National News Literacy Week
• New Learn360 Videos
• Professional Reading and Viewing

Make sure you check out the research in the What?! article about NotebookLM!

Join Our Upcoming Postsecondary Success and DCAP Workshops

Postsecondary Success Network: Jan. 16, 8:30-11 a.m. – Strategies to increase FAFSA completion featuring Erik Danielson from ICAN and Danielle Sampson and Elizabeth Yaddoff from Iowa College Aid. Also hear district success stories. District teams can join in person Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston or via Zoom. Postsecondary Success Network Agenda 

District Career & Academic Planning (DCAP) Workshop: Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – Improve your DCAPs with a full day of learning and work time. District presenters will share examples of how they have set goals and improved sections of their DCAPs. Bring your team and use RPP funds for subs and mileage. Register Here (one registration per district)