Heartland AEA Superintendents:
Last week, the Iowa Senate passed a standing appropriations bill that called for a one-time $10 million cut to the statewide AEA system. This week the House Appropriations Committee met and amended that appropriations bill to include a $20 million cut to the AEAs. In this tumultuous budget climate, we as an AEA system anticipated some sort of funding cut from the legislature, but we were hoping that it would be less than either of these proposed cuts.
Since most of the funds the AEAs receive from the State go toward special education services, we need legislators to understand that a cut of this type to the AEAs (which is in essence a cut to K-12 education) will mean fewer services for those kids who need them most.
If you are willing, we would much appreciate it if you would take some time to personalize this letter template and put into your own words what a cut in AEA funding would mean to children who receive special education services. Please note that everything marked in red in the letter will need to be personalized and/or is for your reference and should be deleted before a final letter is sent.
Click here for a list of the contact information for all of the House and Senate members in Heartland’s area. It includes addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Please use the method most convenient for you to contact the legislators in your area. If time permits, we would appreciate it if you could contact all legislators on the list, although we know the list is quite lengthy.
We hope we can count on your support during this important time. Helping legislators understand the importance of AEA services is critical at this time. Please tell your story of how the AEA has positively impacted the lives of children in your district/school. It is through these stories that legislators will be able to see the true value and importance of AEA services.
Thank you very much for taking the time to advocate on behalf of the AEAs. We appreciate your efforts to ensure that Iowa’s children receive the services they need to achieve.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Student Curriculum Plan (8th Grade Plan) and Students with Disabilities
Please forward this announcement to your special education teachers and counselors.
As per Iowa Code 279.61, all students, including special education students, must complete the Required State Components of the state career planning system. To the extent appropriate, IEP students should complete the components in the same method as their peers. However, alternate assessments or programs may be used for the students who, for example, will not be able to complete the component even with accommodations. In these instances, assessments should still be done to determine interests and preferences, but at a much different level than is available through the electronic format. The school’s IEP team should be consulted as they are already working on transitions for these students. If you need further help, contact your Heartland AEA special education consultant or Barb Guy (barbara.guy@iowa.gov) at the Department of Education.
All student work done within the Guideways of I Have A Plan Iowa™ (www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov) will be reported to the state. However, student work completed through alternate methods should be reported on the forms found on the Department of Education website: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1657&Itemid=2467#reporting
Schools using other programs will indicate students who complete through alternate methods on their annual report: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1657&Itemid=2467#additional
All reporting is due June 15, 2011.
For additional information, visit the Student Curriculum Plan (8th Grade Plan) Iowa Department of Education web page: www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1657&Itemid=2467
As per Iowa Code 279.61, all students, including special education students, must complete the Required State Components of the state career planning system. To the extent appropriate, IEP students should complete the components in the same method as their peers. However, alternate assessments or programs may be used for the students who, for example, will not be able to complete the component even with accommodations. In these instances, assessments should still be done to determine interests and preferences, but at a much different level than is available through the electronic format. The school’s IEP team should be consulted as they are already working on transitions for these students. If you need further help, contact your Heartland AEA special education consultant or Barb Guy (barbara.guy@iowa.gov) at the Department of Education.
All student work done within the Guideways of I Have A Plan Iowa™ (www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov) will be reported to the state. However, student work completed through alternate methods should be reported on the forms found on the Department of Education website: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1657&Itemid=2467#reporting
Schools using other programs will indicate students who complete through alternate methods on their annual report: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1657&Itemid=2467#additional
All reporting is due June 15, 2011.
For additional information, visit the Student Curriculum Plan (8th Grade Plan) Iowa Department of Education web page: www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1657&Itemid=2467
Exceptional Learner Course to Emphasize Matching Instruction to Learner Needs
The Exceptional Learner course to be held July 19-22, 2011 is for teachers seeking to gain knowledge regarding exceptional learners. This course is designed to address characteristics and needs of students with exceptional needs, skills and abilities. Major areas addressed will be special education procedures, learning stages and strategies, instructional and material adaptations, testing, grading and behavior management. Interested staff may register through the Heartland Professional Development catalog.
Conversation with I-ELDA Expert Coming on May 23
On May 23, 2011, from 10:00 a.m.-noon, Heartland will host Iowa English Language Development Assessment (I-ELDA) expert Dr. Tom Green at the Regional Education Center (REC), Rooms 3 & 4, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. Representatives of school districts who interpret I-ELDA data are invited to attend and bring their questions for Dr. Green. We appreciate Dr. Green’s willingness to share his expertise at this informal session designed to answer your specific questions.
Heartland AEA Summer Van Delivery
During the summer, Heartland vans will deliver twice a week to each district administration office and each year-round school. If you would like to request regular van delivery to other buildings (for professional development programs or intercessions), please contact Sherise Ahlers at sahlers@aea11.k12.ia.us. If there are special programs or activities during the summer that may require occasional delivery, please call and we'll be glad to work with you.
Regular van delivery will end June 9, and the Summer van delivery will begin June 13.
Regular van delivery will end June 9, and the Summer van delivery will begin June 13.
Heartland AEA to Host Weeklong Print & Production Open House
Our spring open house was such a success that one day was just not enough! If you’re taking a summer class or touring our new library, stop by our Print Center and see what’s new during our weeklong open house June 20-24, 2011. Come meet our staff and see how you and your school can save money on your printing needs by using Heartland Print & Production services!
In addition to basic copying and printing we can do:
• Athletic Calendars
• Brochures
• Business Cards
• Bumper Stickers
• Calendars
• Color Posters
• Concert Programs
• Door Hangers
• Envelopes
• Graduation Programs
• Handbooks
• ID Cards
• Letterhead
• Memory Books
• Newsletters
• Parking Permits
• Playbills
• Prom Programs
• Rulers
• And more!
Many school staff have shown interest in school calendars and memory books (small paperbacked yearbooks). These school calendars and memory booklets can be printed and bound in our Print Center for a very reasonable cost. During the open house, we’ll show you how easy it is to create these items using Word or iPhoto.
In conjunction with our open house, we will have refreshments, free giveaways of books, DVD samples, Learning Activity Posters and Ellison shapes and letters while supplies last.
We would greatly appreciate your assistance in informing staff in your building about our open house event. We hope that you will be able to attend our Print & Production Open House and that you will help us publicize this event. We look forward to seeing you in June!
In addition to basic copying and printing we can do:
• Athletic Calendars
• Brochures
• Business Cards
• Bumper Stickers
• Calendars
• Color Posters
• Concert Programs
• Door Hangers
• Envelopes
• Graduation Programs
• Handbooks
• ID Cards
• Letterhead
• Memory Books
• Newsletters
• Parking Permits
• Playbills
• Prom Programs
• Rulers
• And more!
Many school staff have shown interest in school calendars and memory books (small paperbacked yearbooks). These school calendars and memory booklets can be printed and bound in our Print Center for a very reasonable cost. During the open house, we’ll show you how easy it is to create these items using Word or iPhoto.
In conjunction with our open house, we will have refreshments, free giveaways of books, DVD samples, Learning Activity Posters and Ellison shapes and letters while supplies last.
We would greatly appreciate your assistance in informing staff in your building about our open house event. We hope that you will be able to attend our Print & Production Open House and that you will help us publicize this event. We look forward to seeing you in June!
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