Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.
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 can help some students feel more engaged and aware of school events, activities and projects. Visit our website to choose your planner style from the many options we offer. Place your order by May 1, 2017 to ensure delivery by the beginning of the next school year. For more information, contact the Heartland AEA Creative Services Department at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14368 or creativeservices@heartlandaea.org.
Heartland AEA is pleased to hold its 3rd annual Education Career Fair in March!
March 8, 2017
2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Heartland AEAJohnston Regional Education Center
6500 Corporate Drive
Johnston, IA 50131
Opportunities for job seekers include:
- Pre-event resume critiquing by Heartland AEA partner Goodwill Career Connections
- Career Classes: Interviewing, Google Drive, LinkedIn, Career Fair Tips
- Meeting face-to-face with central Iowa school district administrators who have open positions for next school year
- Gift for early registrants!
If your district is interested in participating, contact the Heartland AEA Human Resources Dept. at (800) 362-2720.
This is a FREE event for both school districts and job candidates!
We look forward to this opportunity to serve the education community and hope teachers and college students alike will be able to attend this event!
Visit the Career Fair page on the Heartland AEA website for all the info! Pre-registration is encouraged this year, but the fair is again free of charge.
The American Institutes for Research (AIR) has identified an issue with Iowa ELPA21 speaking recordings on certain HP, Samsung, ASUS and Dell Chromebooks running Chrome OS versions 54 and 55. AIR and the Iowa Department of Education suggest that if you are planning to test Iowa ELPA21 students using an HP, Samsung, ASUS or Dell Chromebook you first take the Iowa ELPA21 practice test on the Chromebook.
If the speaking items function correctly on the practice test and your recordings play back clearly you can move ahead with administering the speaking test on these Chromebooks. If the speaking practice test does not function properly, you will need to upgrade some Chromebooks to OS version 56 when it is available.
Google is expected to fix this issue with the release of Chromebook OS version 56 in the next few days. For additional support, contact:
Iowa ELPA21 Help Desk
American Institutes for Research
(855) 873-5710
iowaelpa21helpdesk@air.org
Collaborating for Iowa’s Kids (C4K) is hosting a statewide leadership webinar via Zoom on Feb. 16, 2017 from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. The webinar is focused on building capacity, empowering teachers and providing feedback. Join the webinar at this Zoom link.
To view previously recorded or upcoming webinars, click on this link. The document will continue to be updated after each webinar with PowerPoint slides and recorded webinars.
Note: The March webinar date has changed and is now on March 28, 2017 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, contact Educator Quality Co-Leads Linda Carroll at linda.carroll@iowa.gov or Mary Jane Stites at mstites@heartlandaea.org.
This workshop will help participants develop the skills to document student engagement through the use of technology and learn how to use the profiles to engage faculty in collaborative learning conversations about engagement, instructional change, technology integration and school-wide instructional goals.
Instructional Practices Inventory Level 1 Workshop
Feb. 27, 2017
Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration link
Heartland AEA is pleased to present this free workshop for teachers, associates and administrators of PK-grade 2. The workshop is presented in two modules:
Module 1: Promoting Children's Success: Building Relationships with Children, Families and Staff
This module focuses on the importance of building positive relationships as a foundation for all positive behavior intervention and supports. Participants will learn ways to promote positive relationships within their classroom and schools. Activities and discussions will include building relationships with staff to staff, staff to children, children to children and staff with families.
Module 2: Social - Emotional Teaching Strategies in the Early Childhood Classroom
This module focuses on teaching social skill strategies for PK-grade 2 students. An overview on Early Childhood PBIS Module 2 Targeted social skills will be provided. Participants will come away with an understanding of emotional vocabulary, how to develop and embed to develop friendship skills throughout the day, emotional literacy and problem solving techniques.
Incorporating Early Childhood PBIS Into Your School Wide System
March 1, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Newton Community School District, E.J.H. Beard Administration Center, 1302 First Avenue West, Newton, IA
Register at this link - this workshop is FREE
Minnesota PRESS Trainers will lead a final training on March 1 and 2 in Des Moines at the Plymouth Congregational Church. This 2-day comprehensive training will cover the key pillars of the PRESS multi-tiered system of supports framework. Seating is limited to 100 participants so register early to make sure that your school team gets a table at the training.
PRESS Training
March 1-2, 2017
Plymouth Congregational Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Register at this link by Feb. 22, 2017
If you are seeking clarity on how to be more efficient and effective in building a system of supports for your middle and high school students, this academy is designed for you.
An Academy for Middle Schools & High Schools
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): Creating a systematic process to ensure all students learn at high levels
April 4 & 25, 2017
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church, 4300 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA
Register at this link
Participants will also explore:
- The culture of collective responsibility
- Iowa School Report Card rating developed by the DE
- Student proficiency and year-to-year growth on reading and math assessments
For more information, contact Heartland AEA Professional Development at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14701 or profdev@heartlandaea.org.
The Department of Education has issued initial guidance on the proposed IAC chapter 46. This comprehensive document details the major components of the proposed administrative rules, including Regional CTE Planning Partnerships, revisions to the six CTE service areas, the new program approval and review process, expectations for CTE program advisory councils, and more. It also includes a compilation of frequently asked questions with Department responses.
The guidance document will be updated as implementation of the CTE redesign progresses. The Department will continue to communicate pertinent information to all stakeholders, but please regularly check for updated information and guidance on the CTE Redesign page of the Department’s website. There you can also find additional information and guidance related to the implementation of HF 2392, including a Regional CTE Planning Partnership bylaws and multiyear plan template, guidance for implementing aspects of Iowa Administrative Code chapter 49 (career guidance), and more.
