Friday, September 25, 2009

Urgent Action: ARRA Part B Awards Reporting due September 28

This afternoon you received your Part B award through the State of Iowa ARRA Website accessed via the State’s Enterprise A&A system. Please review all pre-populated data to ensure it is accurate.

Heartland AEA sent an email earlier this morning to all area superintendents and district special education contacts stating that the deadline for Part B ARRA reporting to Heartland AEA is Monday, September 28 at NOON. Please note, this is the ARRA Quarterly Reporting, not the ARRA application which is still due October 2.

The Heartland ARRA Reporting Team will be located in the Johnston office Computer Lab from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday to assist any district on getting the reporting done. If you do not wish to travel to Johnston but still need assistance, you can reach members of the team via phone at (515) 270-9030 or (800) 362-2720 extension 14537. The team also will be available via their email addresses that are listed in the close of the email sent earlier today or by clicking here.

Training videos on ARRA quarterly reporting can be accessed under "Latest Update" on the DE's Web site for ARRA Stimulus Information. The link for the page is http://edtraining.iowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=2.

Agenda for October Curriculum Network Meeting

The October Curriculum Network meeting will be held on October 2, 2009 at the Heartland AEA office at 6500 Corporate Drive. Click here for the agenda.

Juvenile Court Services to conduct Community Conversations

Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) and Juvenile Court Services will be conducting Community Conversations regarding insight into the reform and restructure of the group care process in Iowa. For the conversations to be worthwhile, they are inviting individuals who have had direct experiences with group care. Such individuals would already have an understanding of group care process (what it is and what it does) and/or specific suggestions to improve the process. You may be interested in the Community Conversation if you had a child in group care or direct experiences with children who have been in group care and would like to share feedback about reforming the system.

Click here for an information letter from the DHS. If your
district is in Story County, please click here instead.

Iowa Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference

Social Studies educators are invited to attend the annual conference hosted by the Iowa Council for the Social Studies (ICSS) on October 12, 2009 at the West Des Moines Marriott Hotel in West Des Moines. This year’s theme is “Social Studies: The Core and So Much More.” To learn more and to register, go to http://www.uni.edu/icss/program2009.pdf

Read-Aloud and ELL Translations in World Book

World Book encyclopedia online databases (for elementary, secondary and reluctant readers) now have both read-aloud and text translation features to make information more accessible to all students. The articles, primary sources and e-books are translated into 13 languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish. More info is at http://store.worldbook.com/wb/Assets/CPC/email/adv_diff/advdiff_announce_s.html.

Access World Book from the Heartland Home page under Resources & Research Tools at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us.
You can share the school username/password with parents so they can use this resource with their children. Ask your teacher librarian for assistance.

University of Iowa Offers Online Master's Credit Course

The University of Iowa has an online Master of Arts in Special Education Instructional Strategist I Mild and Moderate (K-6) – Level 1 & 2 program available for licensed Iowa teachers.

Requirements:
  • Iowa Residency
  • BA degree
  • Elementary Certification in Iowa
Program:
  • Attend classes online
  • Access to an on-site Mentor
  • Job-embedded class assignments
For more information please visit www.hawkeyedegree.com and click on “Information Request,” or go to http://www.education.uiowa.edu/distance_ed/degree_programs.html.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Heartland AEA Plans for Regional Education Centers & School Co-location

You may have heard about Heartland’s plans for Regional Education Centers (RECs) and co-location opportunities from your Heartland partnership director, so we’d like to provide you with some updated information on these important facility plans.

The Agency is in the process of implementing an REC model to improve service delivery to our school districts and to utilize our financial resources more effectively. RECs support the Agency’s transformation to provide services in the regions, close to those served by Heartland, as well as to increase the proportion of agency space dedicated to teaching and learning. Each regional center will reflect the unique needs and characteristics of the area served. In addition, the Agency is exploring co-location opportunities within schools to increase efficiencies relating to staff service delivery.

Phase I
During the 2007-2008 school year, the Heartland Board of Directors approved the Agency’s plan for five RECs (Johnston, Adel, Newton, Ames and the West side of the Agency).


The Phase I REC Planning Committee, which represented multiple stakeholders, developed a recommendation for the design and programming of all regional education centers. This effort was lead by Sheila King and Sharon Kurns. The work of the group considered current and future needs, the impact of agency initiatives, feedback from district staff, technology, options for partnerships, flexible spaces and file storage. It was noted that all RECs should have professional development classroom space, offices, storage space and professional resources/materials.

Phase II
On March 1, 2009, the REC committee (RECC) provided its Phase I report with recommendations to the Executive Council. The report cited data sources, general recommendations, location-specific recommendations and proposed timelines. Executive Council approved the Phase I report, which serves as the source document for Phase II.

From April-August 2009, various REC committees/subcommittees and co-location subcommittees were formed to assess and analyze opportunities in Newton, Adel, Knoxville and Ankeny. Based on feedback from these subcommittees, revision of the original Phase II REC commissioning document was necessary to provide further guidance, especially regarding co-location opportunities. Phase II (revised) encompasses FY 2009-2010 planning and implementation of REC and co-location opportunities.


The revised REC and co-location timeline for FY 2009-2010 is the following:
· Newton REC – completion NLT (no later than) July 31, 2010

· Adel REC – prioritization moved to FY 2010-2011

· Johnston REC – completion NLT December 31, 2010

· Knoxville co-location – NLT June 30, 2010

· Ankeny co-location – NLT June 30, 2010


Implementation of the REC model and co-location concept is a complex task because of systemic ramifications. Facility re-location and/or reconfiguration impact financial and staffing resources, service delivery and distribution systems.


Co-location opportunities will be important as Heartland moves forward with its goal to provide services closer to our districts and schools. As we move forward with these opportunities, your assistance in identifying potential locations and your input and suggestions will be appreciated.
Next steps will be to continue regular updates to stakeholders, implement the revised timeline and plan for Phase III.

If you have any questions or comments about these plans, please contact Steve Prall, Heartland AEA Chief of Operations, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14423 or at sprall@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Guidance from the DE on Collaborative and Consultative Models for Students in Special Education

We recently received information from Norma Lynch at the Department of Education that will be of interest to all schools, especially those anticipating site visits in the near future. Click here for a document that contains a description of inappropriate implementation of the collaborative and consultative teaching models for special education and general education teachers. These models will receive increased scrutiny during school improvement visits in 2009-10 in order to assess implementation of highly-qualified teacher legislation. The attached document provides a brief description of the models (with key characteristics), a list of inappropriate examples of implementation and some examples of answers to the focused school improvement questions that would be a signal to do more investigation. Please contact your Partnership Director if you have any further questions.

Iowa Core Curriculum Update: Completing the District/School Self-Study

During Leadership Training last school year, district/school teams received the Iowa Core Curriculum self-studies for outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5. Outcome 4 will be available at the upcoming October Leadership Training Sessions. Outcome 6 will be available at a later date.

At Leadership Training, teams learned a process to complete the self-studies that allows for input from all involved. Each team determined their current status on each action for each of the outcomes. That information was transferred to a consensus rating form that will assist teams when it is time to write an implementation plan. A copy of each consensus rating form, when completed, should be sent to Linda Biermann Hoobin at the Johnston Office of Heartland or can be sent electronically to Linda at lhoobin@aea11.1k2.ia.us.

Currently available self-studies can be found on the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Web page located under the heading “Iowa Core Curriculum Resources by Topic”, then self-study and implementation planning.

There is still time to register for Iowa Core Curriculum Leadership Training Year Two, Day One. The October 5th session at Zion Lutheran Church is closed, but all others have space available. Find registration information on the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Web page.

Questions can be directed to Linda Biermann Hoobin, Teaching and Learning Consultant for the Iowa Core Curriculum at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14327 or at the email mentioned above.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Student Invitation to the United States Senate Youth Program

The state of Iowa has accepted an invitation to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The program is designed to give young Americans a working knowledge of American political life.

Each year, two Iowa students have the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, D.C. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation pays all expenses. In addition, the two Iowa high school representatives each receive a $5,000 scholarship, subject to scholarship conditions and requirements. The selection of the two Iowa high school representatives is based solely on the outstanding ability and demonstrated leadership qualities of elected junior or senior high school student officers for the 2009-10 school year.


Each high school may nominate one student. Click here for the Iowa Department of Education's letter to Iowa's superintendents and principals about the USSYP Program. Student application materials are attached here or may be downloaded from the
DE's Web site at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=939&Itemid=1225.

The completed applications must be submitted to Kim Thuente at Heartland AEA 11 by September 25, 2009. Nominees selected from the applicants will be required to take a qualifying examination on October 7th at 1:30 p.m. in the Johnston AEA Computer Lab
. The qualifying examination consists of a 45-minute multiple choice, matching and T/F test with questions about government and the U.S. Constitution. The top five scoring students will then complete a 45-minute essay exam.

The essays and application materials from the top five scoring students will be submitted to the DE by October 30th for selection of the two Iowa delegates and alternates.

If you have questions please contact
Kimberly (Kim) Thuente at (515) 270-0405 or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14372.

Iowa School Counseling Networking Site Now Available on “Moodle”

Utilize this site to share information with your counselors, keep updated on current issues, find professional development opportunities, obtain forms and guidelines for your counseling program, share curriculum resources and discover much more.

To register, go to: http://205.221.40.124:16080/moodle
. Login or click login in the top right corner and follow the directions to create an account. “Enroll” in the “course” called, School Counseling – Iowa School Counselors (there is no “course”, it is merely the Moodle language).

For assistance or questions, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us

Iowa School Counselor Webinar Series: Resources for New School Counselors

Do you have a new school counselor in your district? Looking for ways to improve your school's counseling program?

You are invited to participate in the first webinar hosted by the Iowa School Counselor Association (ISCA), the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) and the Iowa Department of Education on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

A panel of Iowa school counseling leaders will cover the nuts and bolts of starting a comprehensive school counseling program. Participants will also receive a list of valuable school counseling resources and learn about options for networking with other new school counselors in Iowa. Teresa Keefe O’Meara, ISCA President, will moderate the discussion. Participants will have an opportunity to ask the panel specific questions. A PowerPoint will be provided that you can download to adapt to your local school district.

To register, go to www.ICANsucceed.org/counselors and click on the link in the News and Events. For more information, contact Erick Danielson at (515) 273-7419 or edanielson@icansucceed.org.

Join Drake University's Crowles Library in “Making Presidential History Come Alive”

Cowles Library at Drake University is offering the course, “Making Presidential History Come Alive,” this fall that relates to two traveling exhibits that they will be hosting later this semester and in early 2010. The course is available for licensure renewal credit through Heartland AEA 11 or as a graduate credit at Drake University. There is limited space so an RSVP is required by October 16, 2009.

"Making Presidential History Come Alive" course dates and objectives are the following:

• October 31, 2009 (9:00 a.m,-Noon; 1:00-2:00 p.m.) – learn about primary and secondary resources, review initial research skills, experience a detailed tour of “John Adams: Unbound” traveling exhibit in the Library.

• November 5, 2009 (7:00-9:00 p.m.) – attend the Live! at Cowles Library Lecture series featuring historical scholar/author, Gordon Wood, in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

• November 14, 2009 (9:00 a.m.-Noon) – incorporate information literacy into the classroom and review library research skills

• November 17, 2009 (
7:00-9:00 p.m.) – attend the special Citizens Arise! Lecture, featuring Beth Prindle, exhibition curator of the “John Adams: Unbound” exhibit, in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

• January 21, 2010 (7:00-9:00 p.m.) – attend the Live! at Cowles Library Lecture series featuring Ronald Rietveld, Lincoln scholar, in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

January 23, 2010 (8:00 a.m.-Noon) – learn about available grant resources, experience a detailed tour of the “Abraham Lincoln: A Man for His Time, A Man for All Times” traveling exhibit in the Library.

• February 4, 2010 (
7:00-9:00 p.m.) – attend the special Citizens Arise! Lecture featuring Civil War scholar, Orville Vernon Burton, in the Cowles Library Reading Room.

The traveling exhibits will be open and free to the public:

October 28 to December 11, 2009 - "John Adams: Unbound"

January 11 to February 8, 2010 - "Abraham Lincoln: A Man of his Time, A Man for All Times"


If you are interested in registering for this course, please contact Claudia Frazer at (515) 271-3776 or Claudia.frazer@drake.edu or Susan Breakenridge at (515) 271-3994 or susan.breakenridge@drake.edu.

For more information, see the Citizens Arise! Web site at http://citizensarise.drake.edu/.

Gangs: What School Officials Need to Know and Do

Click here for a flyer and application form about a gang training seminar hosted by the Midwest Gang Investigators Association, the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center and the Dubuque County Sheriff's office. The seminar entitled, "Gangs: What School Officials Need to Know and Do", will be held on November 17, 2009 in Dubuque, Iowa. The instructor, Dr. Alfonso J. Valdez, is nationally known and is an expert in the field as well as very entertaining.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Message from the Executive Committee of the Heartland Board of Directors

TO: Heartland AEA Superintendents
FROM: Executive Committee, Heartland Board of Directors

September is here, and school is in full swing. It seems the perfect time to thank you for your efforts on behalf of your students and your communities. The Heartland board and staff are honored to be in partnership with you.


In this time of transition, please be assured the Heartland board remains firm in its focus and the expectations made explicit in its published goals. At its retreat in late September, the Board will complete its annual performance evaluation and continue implementation of the search process for a new chief administrator.


Your input regarding desired characteristics of a new agency leader is essential to that process. The Heartland Superintendents Advisory Council will represent you as the superintendents’ focus group and will be interviewed on October 6. If you’re not on the Council, we hope you’ll contact a member before that date to share your priorities.

All of us at Heartland AEA are here to serve you and your schools. Choosing the right leader for the Agency will help us make the partnerships with you even stronger and bring all of us who care about teaching and learning closer to our shared goal: significant gains in student achievement.

Superintendents: HAA Minutes from September 1st Now Available

Click here to view minutes from the September 1st HAA meeting. The minutes are also posted on Heartland's Web site at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/ldr/admin.html.

Iowa Core Curriculum - Implementation Planning FAQs

Periodically, the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Team will post some frequently asked questions in the Administrator Connection. The responses are based on the most current information available at the time. The questions in this edition are related to implementation planning.

What does it mean to “fully implement” the Iowa Core Curriculum?

Full implementation is accomplished when the school or district is able to provide evidence that an ongoing process is in place to ensure that each and every student is learning the Essential Concepts and Skill Sets of the Iowa Core Curriculum. A school that has fully implemented the Iowa Core Curriculum is engaged in an ongoing process of data-gathering and analysis, decision-making, identifying actions and assessing impact around alignment and professional development focused on content, instruction and assessment. The school is fully engaged in continuous improvement processes that specifically target improved student learning and performance.

What will an implementation plan look like?
A district/school’s implementation plan will resemble an action plan. It should address these components:
  1. Outcome - from self study
  2. Targets/Actions - from self study
  3. Activities and resources to accomplish the target
  4. Evidence of progress
  5. Timeline
  6. If needed, other district/school decided components (i.e, persons responsible, budget, etc.)
An example of an implementation plan will be shared with teams during the October Leadership Year Two, Day One Training Sessions. A template for an implementation plan can be found http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/icc/resources.html, under Self-Study and Implementation, then Implementation Planning Worksheet.

The contact person for Heartland’s Iowa Core Curriculum team is Linda Biermann Hoobin who can be reached at
lhoobin@aea11.k12.ia.us.

New Online Print Ordering System Coming this Fall

Last May, Heartland entered into a new agreement with Xerox Corporation to manage our Print Center. This agreement would enable us to use state-of-the-art equipment, provide cheaper full color prints and increase our turnaround time back to the schools. The transition this summer during one of our busiest seasons allowed us to see where there were gaps in the system that needed fixing.

One of the new procedures starting in September, will be implementing a new online print ordering system for our area schools' printing needs. The system is called, WebCRD, and it works much like Amazon.com or Kinkos
online. School staff will have a login that will keep documents available for review allowing them to re-order quickly in the future. Users will also get an estimated cost before submitting their order, see the proof of their order and track its progress. This will expedite printing and reduce errors.

As with all transitions there will be a learning curve and some bumps, but the end product will be a more efficient system for ordering your printing. If you have any questions or comments about the new Print Center, please e-mail Brenda Gustafson at bgustafson@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Heartland AEA Provided News Clips

Each morning, the Heartland Communications Department provides links to local and national education news headlines. We call this service "news clips". If you would like to receive the news clips service, please contact the Heartland Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.

IPTV to Air Two Shows Featuring Principals

Iowa Public Television will air two shows in September focusing on principal leadership. On Thursday, September 10th at 8:00 p.m., Iowa Journal will feature interviews with Iowa principals about the redefinition of their roles to ones of instructional leadership. The Principal Story, debuting nationally September 15th at 9:30 p.m., will reveal the struggles leaders face as they keep their focus on improving teaching and learning amid the competing demands of managing staff and engaging students and communities.