During the March HAA meeting, we viewed a webinar on Clarity, a new service we are offering to districts. Clarity, which is used in thousands of schools across the country, uses online surveys to help districts better understand their technology strengths and areas in need of improvement. Data can be gathered at a building and district level.
The value is in the data dashboard that is created for each school. The data tell a story about the degree of technology implementation and integration, impact on teaching and learning, infrastructure and access. It is a tool to plan, make decisions and even monitor implementation and growth in the area of technology in the classroom.
Examples of these surveys for students, teachers, administrators and parents are below. Feel free to answer questions on these sample surveys as you look through them. They generally require about 5-10 minutes to take.
High School Student: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1049180/Clarity-High-School-Student-Sample-Survey
Middle School Student: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1049175/Clarity-Middle-School-Sample-Survey
Elementary School Student: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1049178/Clarity-Elementary-Student-Sample-Survey
Teacher and Administrator Survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1049181/Clarity-Teacher-and-Administrator-Sample-Survey
Parent Survey: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1049171/Clarity-Parent-Sample-Survey
Once a district has a significant number of surveys filled out (normally defined as 25% or more of the number possible), the real fun of data analysis begins. After the data collection concludes, districts and buildings will be given access to a data dashboard and a set of recommendations that are based on the data and how it compares to other districts. Heartland AEA will offer several different opportunities to become trained in analyzing the data and drilling down to the individual question level.
Click here for a PowerPoint which gives an overview of the process, using the Katy, Texas district as an example.
If you are interested in learning more about Clarity, or you are interested in starting to gather data in your district, please contact either Lance Wilhelm or Susan Schrader at the email addresses below. If you are ready to start surveying your students and staff and community, please indicate a point of contact person for your district, and Lance or Susan will get them the information they need to get started (including survey links and templates for communicating with your various groups).
For more information, contact Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology, at lwilhelm@aea11.k12.ia.us or Susan Schrader, Director of Resources and Library Services, at sschrader@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Friday, March 29, 2013
AEA Customer Survey: Please Encourage Participation
The AEA Customer Survey will close on April 5. Our current response rate is a bit lower than in years past. We'd be grateful if you would continue to encourage your staff to participate in the survey. The survey is available at http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/7490/b5d8/. Below is a message that can be sent from a school administrator to district staff.
Greetings,
If you haven't already, please participate in the 2012-2013 AEA Customer Survey. The information from this survey provides valuable data that assists the AEA system in evaluating its services and continuing to meet current and future LEA needs.
Access the survey at http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/7490/b5d8/
The survey will run through Friday, April 5, 2013. You are only asked to complete it once.
If you experience problems with the survey, please contact Dr. Gary Dannenbring, Director of Planning and Evaluation at Prairie Lakes AEA, at gdannenbring@aea8.k12.ia.us for assistance.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Superintendents: April 2 HAA Meeting
Download a PDF or Word Doc of the April Heartland Administrators Association meeting agenda. The meeting will be held from 9:00-11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) in Room 13A and B. All handouts will be available on the Google Site at bit.ly/HAA2012.
Fine Arts and the Iowa Core
A one-day introduction to the Fine Arts alignment to Iowa Core is designed to provide arts education/Iowa Core history, supportive arts research, overview of Iowa Core and time for educators to experience lessons and assessments with the fine arts skills and concepts. This day is designed for arts educators, administrators and classroom teachers interested in integrating fine arts with universal constructs: critical thinking, complex communication, creativity, collaboration, flexibility and adaptability, and productivity and accountability.
While there is no credit offered for this one-day workshop, information will be available at the workshop to extend your learning in an online platform to earn one license renewal or one graduate credit.
Fine Arts in the Iowa Core
June 25, 2013 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Summit Middle School (9500 Windsor Parkway, Johnston)
Activity Number: FA021632311401
While there is no credit offered for this one-day workshop, information will be available at the workshop to extend your learning in an online platform to earn one license renewal or one graduate credit.
Fine Arts in the Iowa Core
June 25, 2013 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Summit Middle School (9500 Windsor Parkway, Johnston)
Activity Number: FA021632311401
Leading RtI with Kevin Feldman on May 10
Click here for a flyer which can be distributed to interested educators.
Leading RtI with Kevin Feldman
May 10, 2013
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
FFA Enrichment Center, DMACC Campus (1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny)
Activity Number: SI015699111301
Assessing Academic Rigor Courses for Spring 2013
Just to clarify, we will be offering two Assessing Academic Rigor courses this spring for administrators and evaluators. Details for each class are below.
Johnston REC
April 9, 18, 30 and May 16, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Activity Number: AD013992111306
Ames Area
April 11, 23 and May 2, 9, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Activity Number: AD013999991302
*Please note location changes
Johnston REC
April 9, 18, 30 and May 16, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Activity Number: AD013992111306
Ames Area
April 11, 23 and May 2, 9, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Activity Number: AD013999991302
*Please note location changes
Reminder: Character Development & Leadership Curriculum with Joseph Hoedel on April 12
Heartland AEA will host a morning
workshop on April 12, 2013 lead by Dr. Joseph Hoedel, lead advisor of
the Character Development & Leadership Curriculum. Many schools use
this curriculum as a stand-alone course for their freshman academy,
their student government class or as an elective leadership/mentoring
course. By the end of the workshop, participants will have an educated
understanding of how this program aligns with the Common Core standards
for English, improves high school exit exams, increases reading and
writing test scores and prepares students for post-secondary success.
Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Through Teaching Character
April 12, 2013
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: WK031392111301
Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Through Teaching Character
April 12, 2013
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: WK031392111301
April Edition of Each and Every Child Newsletter
Click here to find a link to the April 2013 edition of "Each and Every Child" brought to you by the Iowa Department of Education’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers. Please forward it to your parents in your district and use the stories as opportunities for discussion. This issue includes a feature on the Roland-Story Elementary School’s transformation through the use of Response to Intervention.
DMACC Surplus Available
The DMACC Campus has the following surplus supplies available:
If interested, please contact Julie Klocke, DMACC Purchasing, at (515) 964-6386 or jaklocke1@dmacc.edu.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
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| 20 black chair/desks |
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Iowa AEA Customer Survey open until April 5
This is a gentle reminder that the AEA Customer Survey will remain open until Friday, April 5, 2013. The survey provides us with your insight on how to improve our services to your school(s), staff and students.
Since the survey is anonymous, we have no way of knowing who has contributed and who has not. You and each of your staff members are only asked to fill out the survey once. After you complete the survey, you may disregard the reminder notices. We will send a reminder next week to all area educators ensure that staff have a chance to participate.
The survey can be accessed at http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/7490/b5d8/.
Please encourage all of your staff to participate. If you have already completed the survey, we thank you for your support!
Since the survey is anonymous, we have no way of knowing who has contributed and who has not. You and each of your staff members are only asked to fill out the survey once. After you complete the survey, you may disregard the reminder notices. We will send a reminder next week to all area educators ensure that staff have a chance to participate.
The survey can be accessed at http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/7490/b5d8/.
Please encourage all of your staff to participate. If you have already completed the survey, we thank you for your support!
March 2013 AEA Impacting Lives Update
This issue includes:
- Teamwork Continues to Improve Life of Ogden Boy with Hearing Loss
- Meet the People Who Make a Difference: Speech-Language Pathologists
- Northwest Iowa Boys Transition Smoothly to New Family
Request to Serve on the IEC Custodial Advisory Committee
Please forward this request to school building custodial/maintenance staff.
What is the goal of the Committee?
To identify the custodial supply needs of Iowa schools and AEAs in order to help the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) put together a more useful and effective custodial bid come fall 2013. The following questions will be discussed:
One meeting in Johnston at Heartland AEA on April 29, 2013 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. would be required. If you would like to be involved in evaluating the bids in the fall, we would welcome that input as well and could schedule an additional one-day meeting if enough people are interested.
We would like to have representatives from different areas around the state and different sizes of schools. At your earliest convenience, contact Jamie Albertsen at jalbertsen@iec-ia.org if you are interested.
We truly appreciate your time and input.
What is the goal of the Committee?
To identify the custodial supply needs of Iowa schools and AEAs in order to help the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) put together a more useful and effective custodial bid come fall 2013. The following questions will be discussed:
- Are there certain product categories we should focus on?
- How do we get more vendors to bid?
- What is the easiest way to spread the word about the bid pricing to get schools to order and take advantage of the program?
- And more…
One meeting in Johnston at Heartland AEA on April 29, 2013 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. would be required. If you would like to be involved in evaluating the bids in the fall, we would welcome that input as well and could schedule an additional one-day meeting if enough people are interested.
We would like to have representatives from different areas around the state and different sizes of schools. At your earliest convenience, contact Jamie Albertsen at jalbertsen@iec-ia.org if you are interested.
We truly appreciate your time and input.
More Information About Our Kids Summer Institute
The 2013 Our Kids Summer Institute will be held June 18-19, 2013 at the Waukee High School. The institute will provide participants with the opportunity to network with other educational professionals and to discover new strategies for working with English Language Learners throughout Iowa. More information about the institute is attached here. Registration information is soon to come.
Iowa Teacher of the Year nominations due April 26
Thousands of talented Iowa educators lead and inspire their students, but only one is chosen annually as the state’s top teacher. The deadline to nominate the 2014 Iowa Teacher of the Year is April 26.
The award is an opportunity to recognize an exceptional Iowa teacher who is helping to redefine education. Nominations will be accepted from anyone, including students, parents, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members and associations.
Nomination forms can be found on the following webpage: http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=686&Itemid=2683
The Iowa Teacher of the Year award was established in 1958. The annual program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Winners are chosen by a committee that includes representatives of the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa State Education Association, the School Administrators of Iowa, the Parent Teachers Association and the current Iowa Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador to education and as a liaison to primary and secondary schools, higher education and organizations across the state.
Tania Johnson of Cedar Rapids was named the 2013 Teacher of the Year. The 2014 Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall.
The award is an opportunity to recognize an exceptional Iowa teacher who is helping to redefine education. Nominations will be accepted from anyone, including students, parents, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members and associations.
Nomination forms can be found on the following webpage: http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=686&Itemid=2683
The Iowa Teacher of the Year award was established in 1958. The annual program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Winners are chosen by a committee that includes representatives of the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa State Education Association, the School Administrators of Iowa, the Parent Teachers Association and the current Iowa Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of the Year serves as an ambassador to education and as a liaison to primary and secondary schools, higher education and organizations across the state.
Tania Johnson of Cedar Rapids was named the 2013 Teacher of the Year. The 2014 Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall.
STEM Scale-up Program Applications for 2013-14
Please note, LEAs are not applying for grant money; instead, they are applying for the opportunity to implement a program. Therefore, anything that is listed as an included deliverable in the description would be provided to the LEA at no cost. In general, programs provide deliverables such as registration, professional development and materials. However, the time commitment for implementation and what is included/excluded in the programs vary greatly so please carefully read the summaries of the programs before filing out an application at http://www.iowastem.gov/stem-program-scale-call-applications-0#overlay-context=node. Applications are due April 10! Please contact your Regional Manager (see the cover letter to the application) with any questions.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
UNI to Offer Summer Course on Scratch in Education
Teachers in all disciplines, from upper elementary through high school, are encouraged to take the course to teach and use Scratch in the classroom. Scratch is a graphical programming environment designed at MIT to be appropriate for students in grades 4-12. This workshop will address the basics of Scratch (mostly by example), ways to introduce Scratch to students, and discussion on general classroom integration. No computer science or programming background required. Teachers will be expected to have their students use Scratch and to report on that use during a follow-up meeting in November 2013.
Date/Time: June 26-28 or July 17-19, 2013, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Plus one follow-up session Saturday, November 2 or 9, 2013
Instructor: Ben Schafer, Assoc. Professor, Computer Science, schafer@cs.uni.edu or (319) 273-2187
Location: ITTC 328, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Tuition/Fees: Tuition, supplies and lunch will be provided to all who complete the course thanks to a generous grant from Google.
Application: To apply for this workshop, submit an application prior to May 3, 2013 via http://www.cs.uni.edu/connections/cs4hs/
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Date/Time: June 26-28 or July 17-19, 2013, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Plus one follow-up session Saturday, November 2 or 9, 2013
Instructor: Ben Schafer, Assoc. Professor, Computer Science, schafer@cs.uni.edu or (319) 273-2187
Location: ITTC 328, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Tuition/Fees: Tuition, supplies and lunch will be provided to all who complete the course thanks to a generous grant from Google.
Application: To apply for this workshop, submit an application prior to May 3, 2013 via http://www.cs.uni.edu/connections/cs4hs/
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Heartland AEA Introduces Tales 2 Go Audiobooks
Go to www.mackin.com/via and log in with the online database username/password. Click Databases, click Tales 2 Go, click Read Now.
Audiobooks and the Common Core
Audiobooks have been used in classrooms for decades because listening builds critical listening, comprehension and fluency skills. Oral language precedes written language (i.e. developmentally), making listening an important component of language acquisition. In fact, there are reading methods such as The Daily 5 that include listening as a component of reading instruction. Also, the Common Core Standards spell out specific Listening and Speaking skills required of all primary grade students.
Tales 2 Go will be another effective resource to support literacy instruction. Some students may want to check out the book from the school or public library and follow along as they listen to the book. If you are looking for audiobooks that also include the text, don't forget BookFLIX, TrueFLIX, and the audiobooks (cassette or CD) and accompanying books available for checkout from Heartland AEA.
Assessing Academic Rigor Course in Ames
As promised, we have scheduled another Assessing Academic Rigor course this spring in Ames. Please see below for the course dates and registration.
Assessing Academic Rigor
April 11, 23 and May 2, 9, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Activity Number: AD013999991302
*Please note location changes
Seats are still available for our centrally-located course. Click here for more information.
Assessing Academic Rigor
April 11, 23 and May 2, 9, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Activity Number: AD013999991302
*Please note location changes
Seats are still available for our centrally-located course. Click here for more information.
Leading RtI with Kevin Feldman on May 10
Click here for a flyer which can be distributed to interested educators.
Leading RtI with Kevin Feldman
May 10, 2013
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
FFA Enrichment Center, DMACC Campus (1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny)
Activity Number: SI015699111301
What’s New With AEA PD Online & AEA K-12 Online
The March blog updates for AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online are now available. For real time updates, follow AEA PD Online on Twitter @aeapdonline.
AEA PD Online
AEA PD Online
- AEA PD Online WANTS K-12 Teachers!
- Tool of the Month: What's Your Favorite Tool?
- 2013 Summer OLLIE and MOLLIE Schedule
- AEA PD Online: Live!
- Upcoming Courses
- External Partners Webinars
- Connect to Collaborate: Statewide CoPI Event Reminder
- Iowa's CoPI Interest Form
- A New Vision for Professional Development
- CoPI: A View from the Field
Registration Available for Langford Four Day Quality Learning Seminar
Message from Doug Stilwell, Superintendent of Urbandale Schools
Greetings,
The Urbandale Community School District is pleased to be hosting the Four Day Quality Learning Seminar, facilitated by David Langford of Langford International, August 5-8, 2013. For over 30 years David Langford has worked to help schools achieve higher results through continual improvement and redesign of systems, which aim to produce the optimum state of personal, social, physical and intellectual development within each individual. Quality Learning means learning to consistently meet or exceed expectations of colleagues (students, teachers, administrators, parents, professors, governing boards, classified staff) and society (business, military, government, healthcare, education) so both entities flourish. It is a commitment to excellence by each individual and is achieved through teamwork and a process of continual improvement and/or redesign. The result: society and colleague loyalty now and in the future.
The four day seminar is for teachers and leaders at all levels within a school system. The seminar is an excellent opportunity for individuals and teams to learn about, and begin applying, Langford Quality Learning principles and practices. It provides a practical ‘how to’ approach to optimizing student learning based on current brain research and the Deming Method.
In the Urbandale Community School District, we are working to transform our district in order to help our students learn to their maximum potential. The Langford Four Day Seminar has been in integral part of the transformation we are witnessing. I encourage you to share the attached brochure with staff and learn how this work can transform learning in your district.
As a disclaimer, I want you to know that the Urbandale Community School District receives no remuneration from Langford International. We just believe so strongly in the power this training has to transform learning that we want to spread the word!
I welcome any questions you may have. You can reach me at (515) 457-5000.
Sincerely,
Doug Stilwell
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Greetings,
The Urbandale Community School District is pleased to be hosting the Four Day Quality Learning Seminar, facilitated by David Langford of Langford International, August 5-8, 2013. For over 30 years David Langford has worked to help schools achieve higher results through continual improvement and redesign of systems, which aim to produce the optimum state of personal, social, physical and intellectual development within each individual. Quality Learning means learning to consistently meet or exceed expectations of colleagues (students, teachers, administrators, parents, professors, governing boards, classified staff) and society (business, military, government, healthcare, education) so both entities flourish. It is a commitment to excellence by each individual and is achieved through teamwork and a process of continual improvement and/or redesign. The result: society and colleague loyalty now and in the future.
The four day seminar is for teachers and leaders at all levels within a school system. The seminar is an excellent opportunity for individuals and teams to learn about, and begin applying, Langford Quality Learning principles and practices. It provides a practical ‘how to’ approach to optimizing student learning based on current brain research and the Deming Method.
In the Urbandale Community School District, we are working to transform our district in order to help our students learn to their maximum potential. The Langford Four Day Seminar has been in integral part of the transformation we are witnessing. I encourage you to share the attached brochure with staff and learn how this work can transform learning in your district.
As a disclaimer, I want you to know that the Urbandale Community School District receives no remuneration from Langford International. We just believe so strongly in the power this training has to transform learning that we want to spread the word!
I welcome any questions you may have. You can reach me at (515) 457-5000.
Sincerely,
Doug Stilwell
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
First Iowa Student Film Fest Extends Submission Deadline
The deadline has been extended for young Iowa filmmakers to submit a clip for the Governor's STEM Advisory Council’s Iowa Student STEM Film Fest. The deadline to submit has been moved to March 28, 2013.
The STEM Film Fest is part of a public awareness campaign designed by the Council to not only build excitement around the state for STEM, but to also see how students are incorporating science, technology, engineering and mathematics into their school and after-school activities.
Student films, in 90 seconds or less, can tell their stories using drama, humor, action and can be motivational, illustration/graphics based or a 90-second commercial featuring how STEM shapes a more exciting future. The chosen videos will be showcased at a “red carpet event” in Des Moines on May 5, 2013. Awards will be given for Best Motivational STEM Message, Encouraging Student Diversity in STEM, Best Use of Technology and many more. One award will be $1000 scholarship to a STEM-based camp. The winning video could also be a featured PSA as part of the state STEM promotional campaign.
Teams or individuals (including a teacher coach) can sign up today by clicking here. For more information and to see a few samples of other videos, go to www.iowaSTEM.gov.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The STEM Film Fest is part of a public awareness campaign designed by the Council to not only build excitement around the state for STEM, but to also see how students are incorporating science, technology, engineering and mathematics into their school and after-school activities.
Student films, in 90 seconds or less, can tell their stories using drama, humor, action and can be motivational, illustration/graphics based or a 90-second commercial featuring how STEM shapes a more exciting future. The chosen videos will be showcased at a “red carpet event” in Des Moines on May 5, 2013. Awards will be given for Best Motivational STEM Message, Encouraging Student Diversity in STEM, Best Use of Technology and many more. One award will be $1000 scholarship to a STEM-based camp. The winning video could also be a featured PSA as part of the state STEM promotional campaign.
Teams or individuals (including a teacher coach) can sign up today by clicking here. For more information and to see a few samples of other videos, go to www.iowaSTEM.gov.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
ISPRA Spring Conference, April 18-19
The Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) is an organization of public relations professionals, superintendents, principals, teachers and others interested in fostering understanding and support for education. Their annual spring conference will be held on Thursday, April 18-19, 2013 at the Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge.
The conference includes a morning presentation by Joe Krumm, NSPRA President and Executive Director Community & Government Relations, who will present on best school public relations practices and communication accountability. The afternoon presentation will feature Eileen Wixted, Wixted & Company, who will present on crisis communication in a school setting.
You do not need to be an ISPRA member to attend the conference. Click here for more information.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The conference includes a morning presentation by Joe Krumm, NSPRA President and Executive Director Community & Government Relations, who will present on best school public relations practices and communication accountability. The afternoon presentation will feature Eileen Wixted, Wixted & Company, who will present on crisis communication in a school setting.
You do not need to be an ISPRA member to attend the conference. Click here for more information.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Central Community School Superintendent/Elementary Principal Position
Central Community School District, with an enrollment of 500 students and located in North East Iowa, seeks a superintendent/PreK–5th grade principal to begin July 1, 2013. Application deadline is March 25, 2013.
For application materials contact: Board Secretary, Central CSD, 400 1st Street NW, Elkader, IA 52043 or by e-mail at jpiorkowski@central.k12.ia.us, or download application materials from the Central CSD website at www.central.k12.ia.us.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
For application materials contact: Board Secretary, Central CSD, 400 1st Street NW, Elkader, IA 52043 or by e-mail at jpiorkowski@central.k12.ia.us, or download application materials from the Central CSD website at www.central.k12.ia.us.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Heartland AEA Releases Agency Videos
The Agency has created four new videos to help describe AEA service. The main video is entitled, "About Heartland AEA" and takes a brief look at the services Heartland AEA provides for children and families, educators and school leaders. Three smaller videos go into more detail about services provided to the three audiences. The videos are available on our EduVision site. Direct links, including video descriptions are below. Special thanks goes to Dr. Tom Lane, Carlisle Community Schools, for his testimonial.
About Heartland AEA
Education is everyone's responsibility. This video recounts ways Heartland AEA works with parents, educators and school leaders in improving the learning outcomes of children and youth.
Heartland AEA Services to Children and Families
Parents discuss how Heartland AEA has made an impact in the lives of their children.
Heartland AEA Services to Educators
Sarah Brown Wessling, Johnston High School English Teacher and 2010 National Teacher of the Year, describes her experiences of working with Heartland AEA.
Heartland AEA Services to School Leaders
Dr. Tom Lane, Superintendent of Carlisle Schools and 2012 Iowa Superintendent of the Year, provides his insight and experience of working with Heartland AEA.
About Heartland AEA
Education is everyone's responsibility. This video recounts ways Heartland AEA works with parents, educators and school leaders in improving the learning outcomes of children and youth.
Heartland AEA Services to Children and Families
Parents discuss how Heartland AEA has made an impact in the lives of their children.
Heartland AEA Services to Educators
Sarah Brown Wessling, Johnston High School English Teacher and 2010 National Teacher of the Year, describes her experiences of working with Heartland AEA.
Heartland AEA Services to School Leaders
Dr. Tom Lane, Superintendent of Carlisle Schools and 2012 Iowa Superintendent of the Year, provides his insight and experience of working with Heartland AEA.
Autism Expert to Present Strategies at April 2 Event
In recognition of National Autism Awareness Month, local support group, ASPIRE, along with Iowa State University’s Student Disability Resources Office and Heartland AEA, will host an evening with Alyson Beytien, MS/Autism, BCBA. Parents, teachers and family members can learn what they can do each day to ensure success for children with autism. The event will be held on April 2, 2013 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Carver Hall Auditorium on the Iowa State University campus. There is no cost to attend. Click here for a flyer that can be distributed to interested parents and school staff.
Character Development & Leadership Curriculum with Joseph Hoedel on April 12
Heartland AEA will host a morning workshop on April 12, 2013 lead by Dr. Joseph Hoedel, lead advisor of the Character Development & Leadership Curriculum. Many schools use this curriculum as a stand-alone course for their freshman academy, their student government class or as an elective leadership/mentoring course. By the end of the workshop, participants will have an educated understanding of how this program aligns with the Common Core standards for English, improves high school exit exams, increases reading and writing test scores and prepares students for post-secondary success.
Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Through Teaching Character
April 12, 2013
8:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: WK031392111301
Meeting the Common Core Standards for English Through Teaching Character
April 12, 2013
8:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: WK031392111301
Statewide CoPI Event: Connect to Collaborate, March 28
Use the sharing functions below to email this post to interested teachers or post on your professional blog, Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages.
Preparing for 2013-2014 Title III Visit
Two essential items, the Lau Plan (see explanation below) and the Home Language Survey, must be in place as mandated by NCLB, Title I and Title III guidance. These two items must be in place even if you do not have English language learners currently enrolled.
Lau Plan/District ESL Plan/Handbook
To match federal language we are now calling the District ESL Plan/Handbook by it’s federal name, the “Lau Plan.” If you do not have your required Lau Plan/District ESL Plan/Handbook written, click here for a template or find the template on Heartland AEA's ELL webpage. Many of you have this plan/handbook already written in preparation for site visits, but have you taken the time to make sure it is current? Do all teachers in your school understand what it is? Do the people involved in carrying out the plan realize their roles?
Significance of the name Lau Plan (Lau v. Nichols, 1974)
This case is a class action suit brought by parents of a non-English-proficient Chinese student against the San Francisco Unified School District. The Supreme Court ruled that identical education does not constitute equal education under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court ruled that the district must take affirmative steps to overcome educational barriers faced by the non-English speaking students.
Home Language Survey
All students, ELLs and non-ELLs alike, must have a completed Home Language Survey in their permanent file. Completion of this survey ensures the next steps of proper identification of children who need additional services to learn and function in English. This survey can be found at www.transact.com. Form A is the form to use in Iowa and can be found in 23 languages.
Transact is a service provided by the Iowa DE for all educators to communicate with non-native English speaking families. To access translated documents you must do the following:
- Login by creating your own username and password -- the username must be your school email address.
- Once you are logged into the site go to the search bar and type in “Home Language Survey”
- You will see several versions, but you should open “Version A.”
- When Version A opens, you can choose the language you need for parent communication by going to the dropdown menu in the upper right where the default says “English.”
- Below the language choice, you will see a document type (such as PDF). Some districts print the English version on one side and the target language on the other.
March 2013 School Leader Update
Click here to download the March 2013 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education.
March Edition of "Each and Every Child"
Click here to find a link to the March 2013 edition of "Each and Every Child" brought to you by the Iowa Department of Education’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers. Please forward it to your parents in your district and use the stories as opportunities for discussion. This issue includes a story of a district that is seeing impressive growth for students with special needs with the implementation of Response to Intervention.
Northwood-Kensett Superintendent Position
Northwood-Kensett Community School District, with an enrollment of 500 students located at the county seat of Worth County, seeks a visionary superintendent to begin July 1, 2013. An Iowa Superintendent Certification is required for employment. Application deadline is March 18, 2013.
For application materials contact: Board Secretary, Northwood-Kensett CSD, 1200 1st Ave N, Northwood, IA 50459-0289 or by e-mail at dathey@nwood-kensett.k12.ia.us, or download application materials from the Northwood-Kensett CSD website at www.nwood-kensett.k12.ia.us.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
For application materials contact: Board Secretary, Northwood-Kensett CSD, 1200 1st Ave N, Northwood, IA 50459-0289 or by e-mail at dathey@nwood-kensett.k12.ia.us, or download application materials from the Northwood-Kensett CSD website at www.nwood-kensett.k12.ia.us.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Still Time to Apply for Diversity Award
Applications are still being accepted for the Phyllis A. Yager Memorial Commitment to Diversity Award. The award recognizes educators who go above and beyond the required curriculum to increase diversity awareness. Recipients receive a stipend to further diversity initiatives or professional development. For more information about the award, click here.
Click here for the application which is due March 15, 2013 and can be mailed to College of Education Diversity Committee, Office of the Dean, 459 Lindquist Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Click here for the application which is due March 15, 2013 and can be mailed to College of Education Diversity Committee, Office of the Dean, 459 Lindquist Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
ISU AMS Severe Weather Poster Contest
Iowa State University Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (ISU AMS) is sponsoring a Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest open to all elementary students in the state of Iowa (grades K-6). Click here for a packet of information or visit the ISU AMS Poster webpage. Submissions are due by March 29, 2013.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Annual AEA Customer Survey to Launch March 4
Next Monday, March 4 you and your staff will receive an email asking to complete the 2012-13 AEA Customer Survey. The subject line of the email will read “DE Requested Action: Take the Statewide AEA Customer Survey.” The survey will be available March 4 through April 5, 2013.
The survey provides us with your insight on the progress of our goals and how to improve our services to your school(s) and students.
We will send reminders later this month and early April to insure that all district staff have a chance to participate. Since the survey responses are anonymous, we have no way of knowing who has contributed and who has not. You are only asked to fill out the survey once. After you complete the survey, you may disregard the reminder notices.
Please remind all your staff to participate. We look forward to your input!
The survey provides us with your insight on the progress of our goals and how to improve our services to your school(s) and students.
We will send reminders later this month and early April to insure that all district staff have a chance to participate. Since the survey responses are anonymous, we have no way of knowing who has contributed and who has not. You are only asked to fill out the survey once. After you complete the survey, you may disregard the reminder notices.
Please remind all your staff to participate. We look forward to your input!
New Heartland AEA Instructional Technology App
Like using technology resources in the classroom? Heartland's Instructional Technology Consultants have designed a new app in which users can easily view technology leadership opportunity initiatives, general resources for infusing technology into teaching and learning, online professional development courses in technology, information about the technology team and links to additional technology resources. Click here for the app which can be used on iPads, iPhones, iPods and Androids.
Use the sharing functions below to email this post to interested teachers or post on your professional blog, Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages.
Use the sharing functions below to email this post to interested teachers or post on your professional blog, Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages.
Superintendents: March 5 HAA Meeting
Download a PDF or Word Doc of the March Heartland Administrators Association meeting agenda. The meeting will be held from 9:00-11:50 a.m. on Tuesday,
March 5 at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) in
Room 13A and B. All handouts will be available on the Google Site at bit.ly/HAA2012.
Clarification on Evaluator Approval
There have been many questions surfacing regarding what is needed to renew an administrator or evaluator license. Please see the latest information from the BOEE in the letter dated December 18, 2012 where it states:
There is one Assessing Academic Rigor (AAR) course scheduled beginning in April with another course proposed for April and May to be held in our Ames office. Looking ahead, we hope to offer another AAR course in late summer. Please watch the Administrator Connection for more information.
Assessing Academic Rigor
April 9, 18, 30 and May 16, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: AD013992111306
Please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us if you have any questions.
In light of the current conversations around changing the evaluation process, the BOEE and the DE have determined that practitioners must complete one (1) of the current evaluator renewal courses.To find iEvaluate courses, please visit the AEA PD Online catalog. There are currently four iEvaluate classes scheduled with the next course beginning March 18.
The DE approved courses include: Assessing Academic Rigor or iEvaluate. Please be aware that renewal of an administrator license, with an evaluator endorsement, requires a total of four semester hours of renewal credit.
There is one Assessing Academic Rigor (AAR) course scheduled beginning in April with another course proposed for April and May to be held in our Ames office. Looking ahead, we hope to offer another AAR course in late summer. Please watch the Administrator Connection for more information.
Assessing Academic Rigor
April 9, 18, 30 and May 16, 2013
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Activity Number: AD013992111306
Please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us if you have any questions.
Iowa Google Apps for Education Mini Summit Coming July 25
Registration is limited to the first 200 participants. For more information and to register, go to http://tinyurl.com/IowaMiniSummit.
Contact Denise Krefting at dkrefting@aea11.k12.ia.us if you have any questions.
Use the sharing functions below to email this post to interested teachers or post on your professional blog, Twitter, Facebook or Google+ pages.
Reflection of AIW Mid-Year Regional Conference
The annual AIW Mid-Year Regional Conference for Heartland schools was held on February 8, 2013 in the Gilbert School District. AIW coaches Becca Lindahl, Teresa Bellinghausen, Mary Schmidt, Sue Ford, Linda Moehring and Julie Hukee planned the Mid-Year. They collaborated with Gilbert curriculum director, Hope Bossard, and others.
This year’s Heartland AIW Mid-Year had the format of a large-organization conference: breakouts all day long from which participants could pre-select, with an ongoing theme of making connections between the work of AIW and the work of various initiatives going on in schools across the state. Some initiatives included STEM, CGI, PLCs, RtI, the Iowa Core (both Math and English Language Arts & Literacy), concept-based learning, online resources, transformational technology, Socratic seminar, teaching for in-depth learning using technology, unit planning, substantive conversation and 6+1 Traits of Writing. There were also breakouts designed for administrators as well as scoring sessions. A highlight of the conference was a keynote address presented by Sarah Brown Wessling, current ELA teacher at Johnston High School and 2010 National Teacher of the Year, entitled, “The Intellectual Work of Authenticity.”
Over 300 AIW educators in the Heartland area attended the Mid-Year, a growth of about 100% over the past two years. The AIW coaches of Heartland welcome your questions or comments on anything dealing with the work of AIW. Please direct your feedback to an AIW team member listed below.
Becca Lindahl, blindahl@aea11.k12.ia.us
Teresa Bellinghausen, tbellinghausen@aea11.k12.ia.us
Mary Schmidt, mschmidt@aea11.k12.ia.us
Sue Ford, sford@aea11.k12.ia.us
Linda Moehring, lmoehring@aea11.k12.ia.us
Julie Hukee, jhukee@aea11.k12.ia.us
This year’s Heartland AIW Mid-Year had the format of a large-organization conference: breakouts all day long from which participants could pre-select, with an ongoing theme of making connections between the work of AIW and the work of various initiatives going on in schools across the state. Some initiatives included STEM, CGI, PLCs, RtI, the Iowa Core (both Math and English Language Arts & Literacy), concept-based learning, online resources, transformational technology, Socratic seminar, teaching for in-depth learning using technology, unit planning, substantive conversation and 6+1 Traits of Writing. There were also breakouts designed for administrators as well as scoring sessions. A highlight of the conference was a keynote address presented by Sarah Brown Wessling, current ELA teacher at Johnston High School and 2010 National Teacher of the Year, entitled, “The Intellectual Work of Authenticity.”
Over 300 AIW educators in the Heartland area attended the Mid-Year, a growth of about 100% over the past two years. The AIW coaches of Heartland welcome your questions or comments on anything dealing with the work of AIW. Please direct your feedback to an AIW team member listed below.
Becca Lindahl, blindahl@aea11.k12.ia.us
Teresa Bellinghausen, tbellinghausen@aea11.k12.ia.us
Mary Schmidt, mschmidt@aea11.k12.ia.us
Sue Ford, sford@aea11.k12.ia.us
Linda Moehring, lmoehring@aea11.k12.ia.us
Julie Hukee, jhukee@aea11.k12.ia.us
March ESL Reminders
I-ELDA
The I-ELDA testing window is drawing to an end, April 30. If your district has not ordered please do so by March 8. This will give Northwest AEA time to fill your order and for your staff to prepare and administer the test. Tests must be returned for scoring no later than May 1, 2013. The good news: we only have 9 Heartland districts that need to order.
Our Kids Summer Institute
The Our Kids Summer Institute is June 18 and 19 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please plan to send a team of administrators along with general education and ESL teachers from your district. More information will be coming.
Home Language Survey
Don’t forget to include home language surveys in your 2013-2014 school registration materials. Form A, the form that must be used, can be found at www.transact.com. The Home Language Survey is the first step in identifying students with a language other than English.
For more information please contact
Stephaney Jones-Vo
(515) 270-0405 ext. 14680
Pat Latham
(515) 993-4596 ext. 11228
The I-ELDA testing window is drawing to an end, April 30. If your district has not ordered please do so by March 8. This will give Northwest AEA time to fill your order and for your staff to prepare and administer the test. Tests must be returned for scoring no later than May 1, 2013. The good news: we only have 9 Heartland districts that need to order.
Our Kids Summer Institute
The Our Kids Summer Institute is June 18 and 19 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please plan to send a team of administrators along with general education and ESL teachers from your district. More information will be coming.
Home Language Survey
Don’t forget to include home language surveys in your 2013-2014 school registration materials. Form A, the form that must be used, can be found at www.transact.com. The Home Language Survey is the first step in identifying students with a language other than English.
For more information please contact
Stephaney Jones-Vo
(515) 270-0405 ext. 14680
Pat Latham
(515) 993-4596 ext. 11228
University of Iowa Paul Engle Essay Contest for Sophomores
Iowa high school sophomores are invited to submit essays based on a prompt that draws from Engle’s writings. The University will recognize a student from each of Iowa’s nine Area Education Agency areas. The overall winner of the essay contest will receive one year of free tuition to the University of Iowa. The top student from each of the remaining eight AEAs will receive a $500 cash scholarship.
Click here to find a packet that includes a weeklong curriculum based on Engle’s writings and specifics of the essay contest. Please note that the essay contest deadline is April 8, 2013.
The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.
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