Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Quality and affordable student planners are available for your school through Heartland AEA’s Creative Services Department. Planners have a plastic front and back cover, coil binding and contain intro pages, planner pages, note pages and numerous reference and resource pages from which to choose. The planners include a full-year calendar to accommodate extended year schedules.
Visit our website to choose your preferred cover design, planner pages and reference pages from our set styles for planners. Optional pages, such as hall passes, can be added for an additional fee. Place your orders by May 1, 2016 so they will be ready for the beginning of the school year.
For more information, contact the Heartland AEA Creative Services Department at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14368 or creativeservices@heartlandaea.org.
The Iowa Department of Education reports that there has been a delay in the release of the ELPA21 Screener, which necessitates the use of the TELPA for the 2016-17 academic year. Due to field testing complexity issues related to the ELPA21 Screener, the field testing can’t be accomplished until the fall of 2016 and the final operational screener will not be available until spring of 2017. As such, Iowa has made the decision to use TELPA for the full academic year to ensure consistency in the identification of ELs.
More information on ordering materials and returning assessment results to the vendor will be forthcoming. This status is provided to help you RETAIN current TELPA test booklets and to assist you in planning for Kindergarten round-up testing.
Thank you for your ongoing collaborative spirit and dedication to Iowa’s growing population of English Language Learners. For more information, contact Dr. Jobi B. Lawrence, Title III Director, Iowa Department of Education at (515) 281-3805 or Colleen Anderson, Student Assessment, Iowa Department of Education at (515) 281-3249.
National Geographic’s English language development programs will be presented at Heartland AEA on May 2, 2016. This session is open to both Heartland AEA districts that have purchased National Geographic Inside/Edge and Inside the USA materials as well as those that are exploring options for potential English Language Development resources. Inside/Edge is designed for middle and high school ELLs and Inside the USA provides essential language and literacy skills for newcomers at the secondary level. Denise Detmar, one of National Geographic's national trainers, will facilitate the workshop. Learn more in this brochure and at these links: www.NGL.cengage.com/Inside, www.NGL.cengage.com/Edge.
Date: May 2, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center Room 123, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
Registration: Click here to register. Registration is limited and there is no cost to attend.
Title III funds are available to cover the cost of substitute teachers. District claim forms will be available at the workshop.
Administrators and teacher leader who implement the Teacher Leader grant in their schools will explore how to utilize backward planning to increase student outcomes. Participants will focus on the benefits of coaching in education, backwards planning (motivation to recognize the behaviors of learning) and moving the instructional plan forward through teacher leaders and professional learning communities.
Date: June 10, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Stoney Creek Inn, 5291 Stoney Creek Court, Johnston
Register by June 3
Join your colleagues for a day of intellectual synergy and exploration around instructional coaching practices and partnerships in a symposium for instructional leaders. Waukee Community School District is host to the to the symposium that defines and refines instructional leadership to foster cultures of growth and impact student learning in the 21st century.
Date: June 14, 2016
Location: Waukee High School
Register: http://instructional-leader.weebly.com/
Beginning in June and over the next year, the statewide AEA system is offering multiple training opportunities across Iowa, focusing on Jim Knight's Instructional Coaching Model. Topics include:
- Instructional Coaching Seminar
- High Impact Instruction
- Focus on Teaching, Using Video to Gather Data
The dates, times and locations for these trainings can be found in this flyer.
School administrators and other educational leaders responsible for evaluating educators must take an approved evaluator course in order to renew their licenses. A new course option is now available through Heartland AEA. “Fierce Conversations” provides the skills that empower administrators to have conversations that are critical to their success in schools and in classrooms.
In your renewal process, choose from one of these approved evaluator course options. Each course provides two licensure renewal credits.
Option 1:
iEvaluate 1.2
Statewide AEA Evaluator Renewal Course Opportunities
**If you are new to Iowa or were prepared at an out-of-state preparation institution and seeking your Iowa administrator license, you must take iEvaluate 1.2 through AEA PD Online.
Option 2:
Assessing Academic Rigor
June 15, 23, 28 & July 6, 2016
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
$275
Registration Link
Option 3:
Fierce Conversations
June 23, July 6, 7 & 14, 2016
Johnston AEA Office
$250
Registration Link
For administrator/evaluator licensure questions, contact Greg Horstmann at greg.horstmann@iowa.gov.
For evaluator course information, contact Matt Ludwig at matt.ludwig@iowa.gov.
Walking the Talk: Reflective Leadership
This experience builds on the highly successful workshops offered at Learning Forward's national conference. The all-day workshop starts with reflective activities that promote deep self-reflection in the context of work. Fairfield, IA middle school principal, Laura Atwood, shares how she applied "Walking the Talk" to transform her staff's culture and learning climate. She is joined by two district colleagues and veteran AIW coaches: national "Walking the Talk" presenter, Kevin Hosbond, and district curriculum director, Marci Dunlap, who will share how Laura's leadership translated into achievement gains for Fairfield middle schoolers. No prior AIW experience required. Come alone or in teams--all change agents welcome.
Date: June 20, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, 5291 Stoney Creek Ct, Johnston, IA
Register: https://centerforaiw.regfox.com/walking-the-talk-reflective-leadership
What is AIW? A Practical Preview of AIW Reform
A Practical Preview of AIW Reform is for school leaders exploring AIW reform who would benefit from interactive activities that show why school leaders are so excited about AIW. This all-day experience is designed to answer key questions typical of school and district educators. It will be facilitated by four AIW Coaches with different perspectives: teacher, principal, curriculum director and the Center for AIW director and author. No prior AIW experience required. Come alone or in teams--all change agents welcome.
Date: June 21, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, 5291 Stoney Creek Ct, Johnston, IA
Register: https://centerforaiw.regfox.com/2016-what-is-aiw-a-practical-preview-of-aiw-refor
Des Moines Public Schools is hosting its first annual Summit on School Climate and Culture, Aug. 8-9, 2016 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. This event is designed to improve school climate and culture through professional development, skill building and application of the best practices and research. Well-known national experts including Erin Gruwell, Randall Lindsey, Judy Elliott, Tim Lewis and Wes Hall will lead a series of workshops, speeches and breakout sessions focusing on:
- Best Practices in Improving Student Behavior
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports
- Cultural Proficiency
- Social and Emotional Health
- Stakeholder Engagement
For more information about the event, including online registration, visit http://www.dmschools.org/climateculturesummit/.
From the Iowa Department of Education: You have worked your miracles again, and now the school year is on the verge of wrapping up. Welcome to Each and Every Child, the last issue of this school year. In this issue, we have a smorgasbord of stories, from gardening to summer reading to sports.
Additional Resources:
- ASK Resource Centers has compiled a comprehensive list of summer camps in Iowa that are focused on children with special needs. Click here to read.
- Read Educator Jane Schmidt’s most recent blog on the Iowa Core.
Finally, we at the Iowa Department of Education thank you for your dedication. Make no mistake, you are creating all of our tomorrows. May you have a wonderful summer.
The Iowa Department of Education and the American Institutes for Research invites Iowa teachers and school and district leaders to complete the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) and Teacher Support Survey by May 6.
Take the survey now
Share the survey with teachers, teacher leaders, principals and assistant principals in your school and encourage them to take the survey. A survey participation tip sheet and FAQ flyer are provided.
Findings from the survey will be used to determine supports for districts, recommendations for the system as a whole, and to communicate the impact TLC is having across the state.
If you have any questions or technical issues with this survey, contact the survey coordinator, Melissa Yisak at (800) 634-0766 or Iowa_survey@air.org.
Iowa administrators and teacher leaders are invited to three professional learning events on the components and interconnectedness of Chapter 62/Early Literacy Initiative, Teacher Leadership Compensation, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Differentiated Accountability, Collaborating for Kids and Standards and Curriculum.
Impacting Literacy Leadership - Making the Connections
This one-day training provides an overview of the components of Multi Tiered Systems of Support while connecting this learning to Early Literacy Implementation and Differentiated Accountability. Members from the Iowa Department of Education and state AEAs will lead collaborative learning around the continuous improvement tools that have been developed through the Collaborating for Iowa's Kids (C4K) and the Teacher Leadership Structure. Action planning for implementation will also be integrated throughout the day so administrators can think about how to leverage their teacher leader resources back in their buildings.
Date: June 20, 2016
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines
Cost: $25
Register by June 15
---------------------------------------------
Tools to Support MTSS Implementation
Save the date for this follow-up event to the June training. Administrators AND their teachers/teacher leaders and training cadre are invited.
Date: Aug. 1, 2016
Location: Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines
--------------------------------------------
Keeping School Improvement Practical, Reasonable, and Doable for PK - 6 Leadership Teams
PreK - 6 Elementary Building Leadership Teams across Heartland AEA will come together to deepen their understanding in:
- Effective leadership team traits
- The interconnectedness of Chapter 62/Early Literacy Initiative, Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Differentiated Accountability, Collaborating for Kids (C4K) and Standards and Curriculum
- Building consensus with staff and constituents and the use of C4K school improvement tools
This opportunity will assist teams in moving forward from the summer TLC-C4K (June 20 and Aug. 1, 2016), however attendance at those leadership sessions is not required for this day.
Date: Sept. 29, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register here. There is no cost to attend.
Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
It has been quite a week in the Iowa legislature, as AEAs lobbied against the proposed additional $5 million funding reduction that was introduced late last week. Thank you to all who contacted your legislators--the response across the state was heard and many partners joined us in telling the story of the true implications that will result from lost services.
The reality is that while the state general fund revenue has had steady growth over the past five years, funding for Iowa schools and AEAs has lagged behind. By prioritizing other funding ahead of education, the legislature found they had a shortfall in balancing their budgets, and AEAs became a target for closing part of the gap. (Just last year, state general fund revenue growth was in excess of 6%, but AEAs and schools were given a 1.25% increase. For next year, the state general fund is projected to grow at 4.1% while the legislature and Governor approved a 2.25% increase.)
At noon today, the Senate passed the standings bill to reduce the proposed AEA cut to $3.75 million instead of $5 million. The House will still have to act and these numbers certainly remain in flux as the session moves to adjournment.
Even with the proposed reduction in funding, AEAs are federally mandated to support students with special needs, and in the short-term, Heartland AEA does not plan to reduce staff serving our most vulnerable students. But our agency will also not be able to sustain reductions in funding over time without a negative impact on services we provide. The legislature’s on-going reduction already prevents us from hiring as many additional new staff members as needed to keep pace with the growing student population across our service area.
While there are many disappointments coming from this year’s legislative session, Iowa’s educational system remains strong. By focusing our work on improving the learning outcomes for students, we will continue to provide a valued service to students and their families. We look forward to opportunities to collaborate with our elected leaders to find ways to restore our state’s commitment to predictable and adequate funds necessary to assure all of Iowa’s children have the education necessary for a bright future.
Paula Vincent
Chief Administrator
Heartland AEA
Districts must complete Step III of the online Request for Transportation Agreement process by next Friday, April 29. Check your district’s status here. Review the instructions and timelines including the updated video tutorials to complete the process. For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
Quality and affordable student planners are available for your school through Heartland AEA’s Creative Services Department. Planners have a plastic front and back cover, coil binding and contain intro pages, planner pages, note pages and numerous reference and resource pages from which to choose. The planners include a full-year calendar to accommodate extended year schedules.
Visit our website to choose your preferred cover design, planner pages and reference pages from our set styles for planners. Optional pages, such as hall passes, can be added for an additional fee. Place your orders by May 1, 2016 so they will be ready for the beginning of the school year.
For more information, contact the Heartland AEA Creative Services Department at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14368 or creativeservices@heartlandaea.org.
Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 registration is OPEN! The 12th Annual Institute, “Trip the Light,” is an opportunity for education professionals to network with their peers, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.
Our Kids Summer Institute “Trip the Light”
Date: June 16-17, 2016
Location: Waukee High School, 555 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
Conference brochure (for Heartland AEA participants)
Registration
Heartland AEA educators are reimbursed $150 for registration via Title III claim form, plus $150 honorarium, for full attendance and participation in the full two-day conference. Claim forms will be available onsite June 17.
Come a day early for the pre-conference workshop!
Grades 3-12 teachers are invited to explore evidence-based practices that support English learners and striving students in making gains in academic oral language and literacy to access the demands of the Common Core standards.
Our Kids Pre-conference Workshop: Using the Academic Vocabulary Toolkit for ELLs in Grades 3-12
Date: June 15, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Register here for the pre-conference
*Registration includes Academic Vocabulary Toolkit materials by Kate Kinsella, National Geographic and lunch.
Heartland AEA educators are reimbursed $150 for registration via Title III claim form, plus $100 honorarium, for full attendance and participation in the workshop. Claim forms will be available onsite.
National Geographic’s English language development programs will be presented at Heartland AEA on May 2, 2016 for Heartland AEA districts that have purchased National Geographic Inside/Edge and Inside the USA materials and haven’t received formal training on the materials. Inside/Edge is designed for middle and high school students. Inside the USA provides essential language and literacy skills for newcomers. Denise Detmar, one of National Geographic's national trainers, will facilitate the workshop. Learn more in this brochure and at these links: www.NGL.cengage.com/Inside, www.NGL.cengage.com/Edge.
Date: May 2, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
Registration: Click here to register. Registration is limited and there is no cost to attend.
Activity #: ES009892111601
Title III funds are available to cover the cost of substitute teachers. District claim forms will be available at the workshop.
The Iowa Department of Education will hold a summer institute for teachers on June 15-17, 2016. National experts in science will lead elementary, middle and high school teachers through the standards. The goal is to give educators tools they need to implement the innovations in their practice. This institute assumes that attendees are familiar with the new science standards (attended Module 1 AEA training), as the Institute is not an introduction to the standards. If you are interested in attending and need the introductory Module 1 training, contact your AEA Science Consultant. Registration links are below for this free training.
Elementary - June 15
Middle School - June 16
High School - June 17
Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Have you started your district’s online Request for Transportation Approval process for the 2016-17 year? Remember, districts must complete Step III of the Transportation Agreement process by April 29. You may check your district status here. Review the instructions and timelines including the updated video tutorials to complete the process. For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 registration is OPEN! The 12th Annual Institute, “Trip the Light,” is an opportunity for education professionals to network with their peers, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.
Our Kids Summer Institute “Trip the Light”
Date: June 16-17, 2016
Location: Waukee High School, 555 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
Read more about the conference
Register for the conference
Heartland AEA educators are reimbursed $150 for registration via Title III claim form, plus $150 honorarium, for full attendance and participation in the full two-day conference. Claim forms will be available onsite June 17.
Come a day early for the pre-conference workshop!
Grades 3-12 teachers are invited to explore evidence-based practices that support English learners and striving students in making gains in academic oral language and literacy to access the demands of the Common Core standards.
Our Kids Pre-conference Workshop: Using the Academic Vocabulary Toolkit for ELLs in Grades 3-12
Date: June 15, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Register here for the pre-conference
*Registration includes Academic Vocabulary Toolkit materials by Kate Kinsella, National Geographic and lunch.
Heartland AEA educators are reimbursed $150 for registration via Title III claim form, plus $100 honorarium, for full attendance and participation in the workshop. Claim forms will be available onsite.
A statewide AEA team has developed a new Google site with resources to support educators who serve students identified with dyslexia and families to provide support to their children.
Resources on the site include:
- Definition of dyslexia in the State of Iowa and possible indicators
- Presentation for educators on dyslexia
- Letter for parents about the services that LEAs and AEAs can provide for a student with reading concerns
- Information about seeking a diagnosis
- Web, books and DVD tools
An expert group that included Wendy Robinson - Heartland AEA, Director of Instructional Services, Jen Sigrist - Van Meter CSD, Director of Learning and Innovation, and Deb Vail - Heartland AEA, Media/Instructional Technology Consultant identified and developed the resources on behalf of Collaborating for Iowa’s Kids (C4K) to address a need in the system. Content was vetted by C4K Work Team Co-Chairs, AEA Educational Services Directors, AEA Special Education Directors, and AEA Media Directors.
The Iowa Department of Education will hold a summer institute for teachers on June 15-17, 2016. National experts in science will lead elementary, middle and high school teachers through the standards. The goal is to give educators tools they need to implement the innovations in their practice. This institute assumes that attendees are familiar with the new science standards (attended Module 1 AEA training), as the Institute is not an introduction to the standards. If you are interested in attending and need the introductory Module 1 training, contact your AEA Science Consultant. Registration links are below for this free training.
Elementary - June 15
Middle School - June 16
High School - June 17
The Iowa Department of Education has announced two public forums on April 25-26 and a statewide survey to gather feedback from Iowans on the current literacy standards, which outline learning expectations for English-language arts and for literacy in history, social studies, science and other technical subjects.
Check here for forum dates and locations, Iowa’s academic standards and information about Iowa’s Literacy Standards Review Team.
Iowans have until May 13 to take the statewide survey.
Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
About 20 districts have started the online Request for Transportation Approval process for the 2016-17 year. You may check your district status here. Review the instructions and timelines including the updated video tutorials to complete the process. Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
Our Kids Summer Institute 2016 registration is OPEN! The 12th Annual Institute, “Trip the Light,” provides participants an opportunity to network with other educational professionals, discover new strategies for working with English language learners in Iowa, and learn from national and local experts to enrich their practices for increasing EL achievement.
Title III will reimburse Heartland AEA district educators for their registration fees, plus provide a stipend for attendance and full participation in either/both the pre-conference workshop on June 15, and/or the full two-day Our Kids Summer Institute on June 16 and 17, 2016. Claim forms will be available at each event. (Please note that this reimbursement through Heartland AEA does not include Des Moines Public Schools).
Date: June 15-17, 2016
Location: Waukee High School, 555 SE University Ave., Waukee, IA
Read more about the conference
Register for the conference
Iowa administrators and teacher leaders are invited to three professional learning events on the components and interconnectedness of Chapter 62/Early Literacy Initiative, Teacher Leadership Compensation, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Differentiated Accountability, Collaborating for Kids and Standards and Curriculum.
Impacting Literacy Leadership - Making the Connections
This one-day training provides an overview of the components of Multi Tiered Systems of Support while connecting this learning to Early Literacy Implementation and Differentiated Accountability. Members from the Iowa Department of Education and state AEAs will lead collaborative learning around the continuous improvement tools that have been developed through the Collaborating for Iowa's Kids (C4K) and the Teacher Leadership Structure. Action planning for implementation will also be integrated throughout the day so administrators can think about how to leverage their teacher leader resources back in their buildings.
Date: June 20, 2016
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines
Cost: $25
Register by June 15
---------------------------------------------
Tools to Support MTSS Implementation
Save the date for this follow-up event to the June training. Administrators AND their teachers/teacher leaders and training cadre are invited.
Date: Aug. 1, 2016
Location: Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines
--------------------------------------------
Keeping School Improvement Practical, Reasonable, and Doable for PK - 6 Leadership Teams
PreK - 6 Elementary Building Leadership Teams across Heartland AEA will come together to deepen their understanding in:
- Effective leadership team traits
- The interconnectedness of Chapter 62/Early Literacy Initiative, Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Differentiated Accountability, Collaborating for Kids (C4K) and Standards and Curriculum
- Building consensus with staff and constituents and the use of C4K school improvement tools
This opportunity will assist teams in moving forward from the summer TLC-C4K (June 20 and Aug. 1, 2016), however attendance at those leadership sessions is not required for this day.
Date: Sept. 29, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register here. There is no cost to attend.
STEM educators in grades 4-8 are eligible to apply for a full scholarship to STEMcon Space Academy for Educators at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. STEMcon is an immersive, collaborative professional development workshop that provides educators with mission critical tools for engaging and exciting their students. This NASA grant-funded professional development program is located at the home of Space Camp and will be offered in two sessions, June 2-5 and July 8-11. The scholarship includes tuition, meals, lodging, lesson materials and a stipend to help offset travel expenses. For more information and to apply by April 8, visit http://rocketcenter.com/educators/STEMCon.
The University of Iowa College of Education is inviting you and members of your leadership team to join them for lunch, April 18 at 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Greenbriar Restaurant in Johnston. The Dean and other faculty and staff will be in attendance primarily for the purpose of listening and learning about district issues and needs as well as providing updates on learning initiatives for teachers and administrators available through the University. If you’re interested in attending, RSVP to Jenny Ugolini by April 15.
The DMACC Ankeny Campus has the following surplus supplies available. If interested, contact Julie Klocke, DMACC Purchasing, at (515) 964-6386.
Three, 4’ x 4’ and two, 5’ x 3’ enclosed lockable bulletin boards. There are two metal and the remaining are wood.
7' x 42" oval conference room table with six chairs
The Iowa Department of Education will hold a summer institute for teachers on June 15-17, 2016. National experts in science will lead elementary, middle and high school teachers through the standards. The goal is to give educators tools they need to implement the innovations in their practice. This institute assumes that attendees are familiar with the new science standards (attended Module 1 AEA training), as the Institute is not an introduction to the standards. If you are interested in attending and need the introductory Module 1 training, contact your AEA Science Consultant. Registration links are below for this free training.
Elementary - June 15
Middle School - June 16
High School - June 17
Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.
Our Goals
- Increase learning growth for students
- Decrease the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will meet April 5 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center in Johnston. For up-to-date meeting information, please refer to the HAA Google Site.
HAA Meeting
Date: April 5, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Agenda
About 20 districts have started the online Request for Transportation Approval process for the 2016-17 year. You may check your district status here. Review the instructions and timelines including the updated video tutorials to complete the process. Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.
Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.
For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.
Quality and affordable student planners are available for your school through Heartland AEA’s Creative Services Department. Planners have a plastic front and back cover, coil binding and contain intro pages, planner pages, note pages and numerous reference and resource pages from which to choose. The planners include a full-year calendar to accommodate extended year schedules.
Visit our website to choose your preferred cover design, planner pages and reference pages from our set styles for planners. Optional pages, such as hall passes, can be added for an additional fee. Place your orders by May 1, 2016 so they will be ready for the beginning of the school year.
For more information, contact the Heartland AEA Creative Services Department at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14368 or creativeservices@heartlandaea.org.
The timeline to use the state’s required online assessment for English Language Learners, the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21) closes April 15. If any students have moved out of your district and should be removed from the list, contact Colleen Anderson at Colleen.Anderson@iowa.gov before April 15.
Organizers of the 2016 Iowa Culture and Language Conference are calling for presenter proposals for their Nov. 14-16 event in Coralville, IA. Presenter proposal forms are available at iowaclc.com. Deadline for submission is June 10 and those selected for the conference will be notified by July 1. Further information regarding proposals can be found under the Presentation Proposal tab at iowaclc.com.
Art teachers at Clear Creek Amana Community School District are hosting a summer learning opportunity, June 20-21 for their fellow art educators. Visual Arts and Iowa Core explores ways to improve teaching and learning for all students and support students’ opportunities to learn national and Iowa Core Visual Arts Standards. One recertification credit is available for the course. Learn more and register here.
