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
The Heartland AEA Administrators Association (HAA) will meet March 7, 2017 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Drive, Johnston, IA. For up-to-date meeting information and agenda, refer to the HAA Google Site.
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.
We received news that Dr. E. Robert Stephens died Feb. 9, 2017. For those not familiar with Bob Stephens, he wrote the original legislative language to create the AEAs in Iowa. He also served nationally on the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) Board. The AESA has three awards nationally that honor individuals, and one is named after Bob. He was truly a champion for education, especially for educational service agencies. He was relentless in his pursuit to serve students and staff. We’ve lost a giant in our field, and he will be missed. Bob always deflected attention and praise, and in that light, he requested that no services or memorial services be held. Dr. Stephens’ obituary is on the Lensing Funeral Home website.
The Mid-Prairie School District in Wellman has three elementary schools, however, the three elementary schools have unequal class sizes. The school board is considering several options to try to equalize class sizes. Please take a brief moment to answer the six question survey by Feb. 24. Contact Mark Schneider, Superintendent at mschneider@mphawks.org if you would like a copy of the results.
In last week’s Administrator Connection, you may recall that the American Institutes for Research (AIR) had identified an issue with Iowa ELPA21 speaking recordings on certain HP, Samsung, ASUS and Dell Chromebooks running Chrome OS versions 54 and 55. It was expected that Google would fix the issue with the release of Chromebook OS version 56.
An updated version of Chrome OS 56 was released last week. However, the released version of Chrome OS 56 did not include the fix for ELPA21 speaking recording that was included in the preliminary version that AIR tested in the lab. AIR has been in touch with Google and is asking them to release the code that fixes speaking recording. In the meantime, Chromebooks that were unable to be used for recording ELPA21 speaking responses while running Chrome OS 55 will have the same issue when running Chrome OS 56. The Department of Education continues to recommend that all schools that use Chromebooks take a practice test on the Chromebook and confirm that ELPA21 speaking records correctly before administering an operational test to students on a Chromebook. Although it is being worked on, there is no information on when the fix will be available from Google.
Great Prairie AEA is excited to host Todd Whitaker for a leadership workshop, March 1, in Fairfield, IA. District Leadership Teams are encouraged to join Todd as he reveals what the most effective leaders do differently than their colleagues. Blending school centered studies and experience working with hundreds of administrators, he will focus on why these things make them more effective and how to immediately implement each of these practices into your school. View this flyer for more information and a link to register.
What Great Leaders Do Differently Workshop
Date: March 1, 2017
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, 200 North Main Street, Fairfield, IA
Register at this link
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 SchoolsMulti-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Date: April 4 & 25, 2017
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: 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.
In this course, participants will study the research-based Eight Mathematics Teaching Practices as stated in the “Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All.” These Practices are essential for high quality math education for all students and will be connected to the student outcomes of the Standards for Mathematical Practice as outlined in the Iowa Core. Included in this class will be instructional strategies with manipulatives and technology that can be utilized with struggling students.
MTSS for Secondary Math Course, Tier 2 & Tier 3
Date: April 17, 2017
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA, Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register at this link
Target Audience: Secondary Math Teachers, TLC Coaches/ Mentor or Model Teachers, Curriculum Directors, Administrators looking to improve practice and outcomes for students.
The GWAEA Summer Leadership Symposium: The Leader as a Deep Change Agent, planned June 27, 2017, at the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Coralville, will provide educational leaders with an opportunity to participate in engaging learning sessions with national experts. Sessions will focus on how to lead school-wide efforts that are cohesive and collaborative resulting in educational equity and increased student learning. Sessions will be hosted by nationally known experts including Doug Reeves, Andy Hargreaves, Ken Williams, John Almarode, Kristin Anderson, Trudy Arriaga and George Couros. View this flyer for more information and link to register.
Presented by Teens Against Human Trafficking, the Fighting Human Trafficking in Iowa Conference provides participants with information about the impact of human trafficking in Iowa and how to combat it through prevention and intervention. Topics include:
- Sex Trafficking in Iowa
- Labor Trafficking 101
- Trauma Bonding & Survivor Needs
- Iowa Department of Human Services Response
- School-Based Prevention & Education
Fighting Human Trafficking in Iowa Conference
April 24, 2017
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Plymouth Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA
Free registration! To sign up email RSVPHT@gmail.com
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.
