Changed Tab on Web IEP Reporting System

Click here for an important announcement about the Required System Data (RSD) Tab on the Web IEP program. This memo was sent yesterday to district/school special education staff. Please ensure that your special education staff members received it.

Weighted Enrollment Factor Matrix Available

Click here to download the Weighted Enrollment Factor (WEF) Matrix which has been revised and was released in the Special Education Procedures Manual on July 25, 2013, on pages 500-501. All IEPs with a Prior Written Notice will be weighted using the WEF matrix. If interested in learning more about applying the WEF matrix to an IEP, click here to find information on completing the AEA PD Online Moodle Weighted Enrollment Factor Matrix Training. Please contact the regional director for your district if you have any questions regarding a student’s IEP weighting.

Considerations for Special Education Records

Important questions have been recently raised regarding progress monitoring and special education records. Click here to download a document that provides additional information to assist us in supporting our districts with this information.

Changes to Homeschool Instruction for Students Entitled to Special Education Services

In 2013, legislation was passed and signed by the Governor that significantly changed the homeschooling options in Iowa. These changes are indicated in the 2013-14 Private Instruction Handbook; however, these changes are not reflected in the current Statewide Procedural Manual dated July 25, 2013. Additional guidance documents have been developed to support AEA and LEA staff in meeting the new requirements and to assist with ensuring the appropriate paperwork is completed for students who are entitled to special education services.

Below are links to three additional guidance documents related to this topic: 

• Click here for the Heartland AEA Guidance Private Instruction Requests for Special Education Entitled Individuals
• Click here for the CPI Worksheet
• Click here for the 2013-14 Private Instruction Handbook which includes Form A, referenced throughout the guidance

If you have any questions regarding this information, contact Keri Steele, Regional Director/Assistant Director of Special Education, at ksteele@heartlandaea.org or Sara Mercer, School Psychologist, at smercer@heartlandaea.org.

Heartland AEA PEC to Host Transition Times Workshops this Fall

The Heartland AEA Parent & Educator Connection (PEC) Coordinators together with Des Moines Public School professionals have organized two fall workshops to benefit families and educators of 7-12th grade students who are served on an individualized education plan (IEP). Below is information on the two upcoming workshops.

ASPIRE Transition Times Workshop
October 1, 2013
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Ames AEA Office
ASPIRE is a parent-led support group for parents, educators and professionals who have or work with children who have special needs. Click here for more information for our co-sponsored Transition Times workshop that feature a panel of persons with disabilities who will share their success stories and what helped them along the way.

Transition Times Workshop
October 3, 2013
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Click here for more information on the Transition Times Workshop on October 3, 2013. A panel of experts will describe job-seeking skills. Discover how to build on your child’s/student’s current skills. Join us for an interesting discussion with time for questions.

Ed Tech Expert Mancabelli to Speak About Globally Connected Classrooms on Oct. 1

There are still opportunities to attend a session with national educational technology expert Rob Mancabelli on Oct. 1! We'd love for you, your school leadership teams and your school board members to take advantage of this opportunity!

Rob has fifteen years of experience working in schools, working as a teacher before accepting roles as a Chief Technology Officer. He sits on the Educational Advisory Boards of Dell Computer and Acer Corporation, and he is a columnist for leading education publications. Rob is also an education entrepreneur, and he has earned an MBA in innovation and global leadership from MIT.

Heartland AEA will host Rob for three speaking engagements on October 1, 2013. See below for information on each session.

Superintendent Presentation
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston REC, Rooms 13A & B
Audience: Superintendents only
No registration required.

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will present during the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting. He will share information about the partnership between Heartland AEA and BrightBytes to collect and analyze information about how technology is being used to impact teaching and learning in districts.

Globally Connected Classroom
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston REC, Rooms 13A & B
Audience: Principals, technology coordinators, district administrators and curriculum directors. It will be a great opportunity for superintendents or principals to bring in school teams.
Activity Number: AD014992111401

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will share ideas on how to create globally connected classrooms, implement powerful project-based curricula and introduce students to tools and technologies with transformative potential.

Overview of the Globally Connected Classroom
Time: 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Location Change: Eastview School Cafeteria (1600 North Avenue, Norwalk)
Audience: Superintendents and their school board members.
Activity Number: AD015047971401

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will share information about the role of school board members and impacting teaching and learning in districts.

Superintendents: September 3 HAA Meeting

Click here for the October HAA agenda for next week’s meeting. The meeting will be held from 9:00-11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1 in Rooms 13 A & B of the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). As part of the meeting, Rob Mancabelli will present information about the partnership between Heartland AEA, local schools and BrightBytes to collect and analyze information about how technology is being used to impact teaching and learning in districts.

Curriculum Network: October 4 Meeting

The next Curriculum Network meeting will be held on Friday, October 4 in Rooms 13 A & B of the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive) and will begin at 8:30 a.m. The agenda and handouts will soon be posted to the Curriculum Network Google Site.

Sudanese Author to Share Personal Story of Refugee Survival at Sept. 30 Event

As part of the Drake University/Heartland AEA ESL Endorsement partnership, a first-person account of Sudanese survival, sorrow and triumph will be presented on September 30, 2013, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Drake University, Meredith Hall, Room 106.

Abeny Kucha Tiir, author of Tears of a Mother, will share her personal narrative, insights and reflections as a refugee from South Sudan. Photos and video footage from three return trips to her former homeland will enhance audience understanding of the realities faced by Ms. Kucha and other refugees from the world’s newest democracy.

The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship, Heartland AEA and the Drake University School of Education.

October 2013 Each & Every Child Newsletter

Click here to for a link to the October 2013 edition of the Each & Every Child newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers.

Heartland AEA PEC to Host Transition Times Workshops this Fall

The Heartland AEA Parent & Educator Connection (PEC) Coordinators together with Des Moines Public School professionals have organized two fall workshops to benefit families and educators of 7-12th grade students who are served on an individualized education plan (IEP). Below is information on the two upcoming workshops.

ASPIRE Transition Times Workshop
October 1, 2013
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Ames AEA Office
ASPIRE is a parent-led support group for parents, educators and professionals who have or work with children who have special needs. Click here for more information for our co-sponsored Transition Times workshop that feature a panel of persons with disabilities who will share their success stories and what helped them along the way.

Transition Times Workshop
October 3, 2013
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Johnston REC
Click here for more information on the Transition Times Workshop on October 3, 2013. A panel of experts will describe job-seeking skills. Discover how to build on your child’s/student’s current skills. Join us for an interesting discussion with time for questions.

Globally Connected Classrooms with Rob Mancabelli, Oct. 1

Rob Mancabelli is a speaker and author in the field of educational technology. He’s the co–author of the book Personal Learning Networks: Using the Power of Connections to Transform Education, a medal winner for Education Book of the Year. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Rob describes in vivid detail how technology is dramatically changing the way teachers and students learn in the 21st Century, and he outlines specific ways educators can make these changes happen in their schools.

Rob has fifteen years of experience working in schools, working as a teacher before accepting roles as a Chief Technology Officer. He sits on the Educational Advisory Boards of Dell Computer and Acer Corporation, and he is a columnist for leading education publications. Rob is also an education entrepreneur, and he has earned an MBA in innovation and global leadership from MIT.

Heartland AEA will host Rob for three speaking engagements on October 1, 2013. See below for information on each session.

Superintendent Presentation
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston REC, Rooms 13A & B
Audience: Superintendents only
No registration required.

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will present during the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting. He will share information about the partnership between Heartland AEA and BrightBytes to collect and analyze information about how technology is being used to impact teaching and learning in districts.

Globally Connected Classroom
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston REC, Rooms 13A & B
Audience: Principals, technology coordinators, district administrators and curriculum directors. It will be a great opportunity for superintendents or principals to bring in school teams.
Activity Number: AD014992111401

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will share ideas on how to create globally connected classrooms, implement powerful project-based curricula and introduce students to tools and technologies with transformative potential.

Overview of the Globally Connected Classroom
Time: 6:00-6:45 p.m. 
Location Change: Eastview School Cafeteria (1600 North Avenue, Norwalk)  
Audience: Superintendents and their school board members.
Activity Number: AD015047971401

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will share information about the role of school board members and impacting teaching and learning in districts.

District/School Technology PLN

Technology leaders from schools in the Heartland AEA area are invited to participate in a technology personal learning network. These opportunities are to network with other technology integrationists from other districts and learn about new resources. The Technology PLN sharing site can be found at: https://sites.google.com/a/aea11.k12.ia.us/heartland-technology-plc/

These sessions will be held the afternoons of our TICs (Technology Infusion Collaborative) on the following dates:
 
October 3, 2013
November 14, 2013
January 30, 2014
February 18, 2014
April 17, 2014

If you are interested in attending or if you have someone who you feel might be interested in attending, please contact Denise Krefting at dkrefting@heartlandaea.org.

September 2013 AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online Blog Updates

The AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online September blog updates are now available. For real time updates, follow AEA PD Online on Twitter @aeapdonline or on your mobile device by accessing the app at myapp.is/aeapdonline.

Registration Open for Iowa Culture and Language Conference

It is time to register for the Iowa Culture and Language Conference. This year's conference will be held November 11-13, 2013 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. For more information about the conference and to register go to:

http://www.nwaea.k12.ia.us/en/programs_and_services/iowa_culture__language_conference/
 
Heartland Title III funds will support attendance by reimbursing your district for registration and substitute pay for the pre-conference and/or conference. Your district will also be reimbursed a total of $100 as a travel stipend.

Participants should register following your district's policy. After the conference, your district will submit one claim form for registration, sub pay and the travel stipend. Title III will reimburse directly to the district, not individuals. The claim forms will be made available in the Administrator Connection at the conclusion of the conference.

We encourage teams of classroom teachers, administrators and ESL teachers to attend.

Iowa’s AEAs Name New Legislative Liaison

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) have selected Tom Lane to be its legislative liaison. Lane is the 2012-13 Superintendent of the Year selected by peers through the School Administrators of Iowa. He recently retired after 10 years as superintendent at Carlisle Community School District, where he also served as elementary principal.

Lane began his education career as a social studies teacher and has also been a counselor, coach and secondary principal. A graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in counselor education, Lane earned his administrative certification, specialist’s degree and doctorate in education leadership from Drake University.

“I’ve always valued the work of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and had a passion for kids with special needs,” Lane said. “I am focused on building advocates for the AEAs at the grassroots level.”

Education is definitely a family business. His wife, Kathy, retired after a career as a first grade teacher. Son, Mark, is an elementary principal in Urbandale and son, Kelly, is an elementary PE teacher in Colorado Springs, CO. Daughter, Darcy, is legal counsel for the Board of Educational Examiners.

“I live 15 minutes from the Capitol, and I’ve always believed that talking and working with legislators was part of my responsibility to my colleagues,” Lane said. “As I considered other opportunities for work, I ultimately chose this work because it’s a great match for my passion and beliefs. I can’t imagine any better way to continue being involved in education.”

Iowa's AEAs Help Bring Awareness of Borlaug Legacy

Dr. Norman Borlaug arguably did more to alleviate world hunger than anyone in history. To help celebrate his legacy, Iowa’s leaders have proclaimed October 16 as Dr. Norman Borlaug – World Food Prize Day. The World Food Prize Foundation has organized a series of events throughout the state for a week-long celebration and has coordinated with the AEAs to distribute a poster to promote awareness of Dr. Borlaug and global food security issues. A poster, accompanied by a letter from Gov. Branstad, will be delivered to each school via van delivery in the next two weeks.

Iowans Invited to Give Feedback on Science Standards

On September 18, the Iowa Department of Education launched a public opinion survey of Iowans regarding the Next Generation Science Standards. The survey is part of a broader state effort to seek input on the new science standards, which represent a multi-state effort to develop a common set of learning expectations for students in kindergarten through high school.
   
The standards are internationally benchmarked and identify science and engineering practices and content with a focus on preparing K-12 students to go to college or to enter the workforce. To read the Next Generation Science Standards, visit http://www.nextgenscience.org/.

The survey will be open through Friday, October 11. To participate, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JBQM56P. 

For more information about the Next Generation Science Standards Task Force, visit http://www.educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2951&Itemid=5238.

Assessing Academic Rigor Course for Fall 2013

The last fall course for Assessing Academic Rigor will begin September 19 and run through November 12. This course is required for school administrators and other educational leaders responsible for evaluating educators who are renewing their licenses. Details for the course are below. 

Dates: Sept. 19, Oct. 10, 22 & Nov. 12, 2013 
Time: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 
Location: Johnston REC 
Activity Number: AD013992111402

Google Apps Classes to be Offered

Heartland AEA will be hosting Google workshops designed for teachers and administrators from area school districts who have Google Apps for Education. Learners will explore using Google Apps for Education to communicate, collaborate and collect data. Teachers and administrators will have a choice in various sessions during each time period.

1st session choice: Gmail, Google Calendar
2nd session choice: Google Sites, Google Word Processing/Presentation
3rd session choice: Spreadsheet and Forms, Google+
4th session choice: Google Hangout, Using Scripts and Apps

If you are interested in attending, go to the Heartland AEA Professional Development Catalog and enter the activity number for the session you wish to attend. 

Ames Office
November 4 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Activity Number: TE100392111402

Adel Office
November 5 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Activity Number: TE100392111401

Indianola, The Studio
November 15 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Activity Number: TE100392111403

September 2013 School Leader Update

Click here to download the September 2013 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, look for a greeting from the DE’s new director, Dr. Brad Buck; details about grant money for school districts to establish competency-based education pilot projects and a couple of fun opportunities for students. In this month’s column, Policy Liaison Mike Cormack discusses new leadership and “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Attorney Nicole Proesch gives helpful advice about common student residency issues.

Coon Rapids-Bayard to Host Technology Institute

The Coon Rapids-Bayard school district will be hosting the West Central Technology Institute on Wednesday, October 30. Registration is open to area school administrators, educators, technology coaches and adult learners. Visit the Institute's site at https://www.smore.com/cy4t-west-central-iowa-tech-institute 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.

ICSS Conference and Website

Click here for an invitation to the annual Iowa Council for the Social Studies conference (ICSS). This year's event will be held October 7-8 at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center, Altoona. Be sure to also check out the new ICSS website at http://www.iowasocialstudies.org/.

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.

Iowa ASCD Fall Institute, Oct. 8

Click here for flyer for the Iowa ASCD Fall Institute which will take place on October 8 and will feature Dr. Nell Duke, Professor University of Michigan. 

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.

Nominate Your Outstanding Educator for the Robert E. Yager Active Learning Award

The Iowa Children's Museum is proud to present the second annual Robert E. Yager Active Learning Award. The award acknowledges outstanding educators who facilitate active learning in the classroom. If you would like to nominate educators in your area, go to http://www.theicm.org/get-involved/active-learning-award for more information. Please pass this information along this information to friends, colleagues and your local school districts.

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.

Globally Connected Classrooms with Rob Mancabelli, Oct. 1

Rob Mancabelli is a speaker and author in the field of educational technology. He’s the co–author of the book Personal Learning Networks: Using the Power of Connections to Transform Education, a medal winner for Education Book of the Year. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Rob describes in vivid detail how technology is dramatically changing the way teachers and students learn in the 21st Century, and he outlines specific ways educators can make these changes happen in their schools.

Rob has fifteen years of experience working in schools, working as a teacher before accepting roles as a Chief Technology Officer. He sits on the Educational Advisory Boards of Dell Computer and Acer Corporation, and he is a columnist for leading education publications. Rob is also an education entrepreneur, and he has earned an MBA in innovation and global leadership from MIT.

Heartland AEA will host Rob for three speaking engagements on October 1, 2013. See below for information on each session.

Superintendent Presentation
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston REC, Rooms 13A & B
Audience: Superintendents only
No registration required.

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will present during the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meeting. He will share information about the partnership between Heartland AEA and BrightBytes to collect and analyze information about how technology is being used to impact teaching and learning in districts.

Globally Connected Classroom
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston REC, Rooms 13A & B
Audience: Principals, technology coordinators, district administrators and curriculum directors. It will be a great opportunity for superintendents or principals to bring in school teams.
Activity Number: AD014992111401

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will share ideas on how to create globally connected classrooms, implement powerful project-based curricula and introduce students to tools and technologies with transformative potential.

Overview of the Globally Connected Classroom
Time: 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Location Change: Eastview School Cafeteria (1600 North Avenue, Norwalk)
Audience: Superintendents and their school board members.
Activity Number: AD015047971401

Presenter Rob Mancabelli will share information about the role of school board members and impacting teaching and learning in districts.

Reminder: Student Invitation to the United State Senate Youth Program

The state of Iowa has accepted an invitation to participate in the U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP), sponsored by the William Randolph Heart 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 Heart Foundation pays all expenses. In addition, the two Iowa high school representatives each receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Selection of the two Iowa high school representatives is based on the outstanding ability and demonstrated leadership qualities of elected junior and senior high school student officers for the 2013-14 school year.

Each high school may nominate up to three students. Student application materials are available on the Iowa Department of Education website at http://www.educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=939&catid=671&Itemid=1225#application.

Click here for student application materials. Please submit the completed applications to Terri Barnes, Heartland AEA USSYP contact, at the Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Iowa by 4:00 p.m. on October 4, 2013. Nominees will take a qualifying examination on October 21, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. in Conference Room 18 at the Johnston AEA REC on the U.S. Constitution and government. The award recipients will be announced in December.

Contact your AEA USSYP contact, Terri Barnes (tbarnes@heartlandaea.org) or Stephanie Rosenberg Wager (stefanie.rosenbergwager@iowa.gov) at the Iowa Department of Education for information.

Superintendents: Director Maps

New director maps were handed out to superintendents at the September HAA meeting. If you did not receive your map or were unable to attend, the maps will be available in future HAA meetings. All superintendents will receive a hard copy map and an electronic copy by the end of fall.

2013-14 Heartland AEA Superintendent Directory Available

Click here to download the 2013-14 Heartland AEA Superintendent Directory. A limited supply of these directories were printed and distributed at the September HAA meeting. If you would like a hard copy, please contact Claire Sowder, Communications Specialist, at csowder@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Introducing Mr. Bob Callaghan, Superintendent at Newton CSD

Education
Graduate of Dowling High School WDM, IA
B.A. - Psychology; Sioux Falls, S.D.
M.Ed. - Health and Physical Education; Pan American University; Edinburg, TX
M.S. - Mid-Management Principal Certification; University of Houston - Clear Lake; Clear Lake, TX
Superintendent Certification - West Texas A & M University; Canyon, TX

Past work experience
Teacher/Coach - McAllen Memorial H.S. McAllen ISD, McAllen, TX (81 - 84)
Teacher Coach - Sam Rayburn H.S. Pasadena ISD, Pasadena, TX (84 - 96)
Assistant Principal - South Houston H.S. Pasadena ISD, Pasadena, TX (96 - 00)
Principal Temple H.S. Temple ISD, Temple, TX (00-04)
Principal Borger H.S. Borger ISD, Borger, TX (05-07)
Assistant Superintendent Borger ISD, Borger, TX (07-09)
Superintendent Rogers ISD, Rogers, TX (09-13)

Why did you decide to pursue the superintendent position at your district?
Great opportunity - return to family roots.

What is your vision for your district?
•    Excellence in academic and extracurricular student activities
•    Growth
•    High expectations

What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your free time?
Golf and spending time with family.