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
Iowa’s Digital Learning Plan, a collaborative effort between the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and school districts, is ready to roll! The goal of the Plan is to provide a vision for what digital learning could look like in Iowa with the hope of bridging the gap that exists between islands of excellence around the state. The Plan includes real life examples of digital learning and teachers modeling instructional practices in their classrooms. To download the Plan, visit http://bit.ly/IowaDigitalLearningPlan. Then reach out to an AEA instructional technology consultant for guidance as you bring digital learning to life in your school!
The conference will be held Nov. 2-3 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. A trauma-responsive school is a safe and respectful environment that enables students to build caring relationships with adults and peers, self-regulate their emotions and behaviors, and succeed academically, while supporting their physical health and well-being. It is about creating a culture that prioritizes safety, trust, choice, and collaboration.
Breakout sessions include:
- ACES and the impact of trauma on youth
- Restorative Justice - what is it and how does it work in education
- Blue Zones
- Therapy dogs
- Collaborative and Proactive Solutions
- Mindfulness, self-care, and more
Register by clicking here now!
When
Nov. 5-7, 2018
Pre-Conference on Nov. 5
Regular conference on Nov. 6-7
Where
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 300 East 9th Street, Coralville, IA
Registration
Pre-Registration ($180): Oct. 16-31, 2018
Onsite Registration ($220): Nov. 5-6, 2018
Students - full-time ($105)
Register at the Iowa Culture and Language Conference website
The Mission of the Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC) is to advocate for culturally and/or linguistically diverse students and their families, educators, and service providers. For more Information, visit the Iowa Culture and Language Conference website.
Title III Support is available to public and nonpublic districts. Contact your ESL/Diversity Consultant for more information: Janet Hiatt at jhiatt@heartlandaea.org; or Cindra Porter at porter@heartlandaea.org.
Nov. 2, 2018
12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Register for this event at this link.
Check out all of our Framework Friday sessions in this flyer!
Participants will learn specific strategies at the Tier 1 level for promoting all children’s happiness through schoolwide and classwide strategies that target improvements in the factors correlated with children’s subjective well-being, including positive teacher-student relationships evident in schools with a healthy climate, as well as students’ personal levels of gratitude, optimism and use of character strengths. Participants will also become familiar with tools to assess positive psychology constructs, including how to incorporate such measures in universal screenings and progress monitoring.
Shannon Suldo, Ph.D., is a professor in the School Psychology Program at the University of South Florida. She is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Florida and provides school-based mental health services to youth in the Tampa area.
Registration
Nov. 6, 2018
DMACC, Student Center, Bldg. 5, 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Register at this link: https://goo.gl/Nvp8w6
Family & Educator Partnership Resource Fair
Oct. 20, 2018
Science Center of Iowa
8:30 a.m. - noon
Families, educators, community and agency staff who support students with special needs are invited to attend the Heartland AEA Family & Educator Partnership Resource Fair.
This free event offers families of children with special needs and educators an opportunity to connect with valuable community and agency resources. You're welcome to tour the Science Center as our guest after attending the fair. Breakout sessions will be held concurrently at 9:00 a.m., followed by exhibits with more than 40 local agencies from 10 a.m. - noon.
To assist families in getting the most benefit, families are given complimentary admission to the entire Science Center for the entire day. A stipend is also available for childcare, and you’re invited to bring your childcare provider along to assist while you attend a session. For more information, contact Terry Mendell, Heartland AEA Lead Parent Coordinator, at tmendell@heartlandaea.org or (800) 255-0405 ext. 17135.
You asked and we listened! Heartland AEA is offering a second opportunity to register for and attend the "Level 2 Section 504 Training for Public School Staff" live training on Nov. 12, 2018, from 9 a.m. to Noon. Class will be held in Room 107 A&B at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center. You must register to attend. Previous attendance at a Level 1 class is recommended.
Topics to be covered include:
- Processing 504 evaluation data
- How to consider and include outside expert reports
- Determining whether or not a plan is needed
- Eligible but not in need of a plan, how to manage?
- Linking physical and mental health disabilities to the right accommodations
- Resources available to assist districts to spark accommodation planning
- How to construct an inclusive 504 plan
- Implementing a 504 plan with integrity
- Determining whether or not a 504 plan is effective
- Annual reviews and 3-year reevaluations
Level 2: Section 504 Training for Public School Staff
Date: Nov. 12, 2018
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Registration: Register at this link
Cost: This class is free to school districts residing within the Heartland AEA service area.
Audience: New administrators, counselors and 504 coordinators are key staff to include in this training.
Course Instructor: MaryAnn Strawhacker, MPH, RN, Heartland AEA Special Education Nurse
The Iowa State Board of Education amended Iowa’s special education rules to conform with ESSA-required language related to the graduation of individuals eligible for special education. This amendment makes clear that a regular high school diploma must be fully aligned to State-required standards. It is no longer permissible to award a regular high school diploma based on IEP goal attainment solely. Please refer to this handout from the Iowa Department of Education for more information about the amendment and implications for district policies and procedures.
The Iowa Department of Education is working with numerous stakeholders to provide tools and strategies to support Districts and IEP teams. More information will be available at the start of the second semester. Add your questions and support needs to this document so that the DE is sure to address your concerns or contact Kirsten Lane at kirstenlane3107@gmail.com.
Des Moines Area Community College, Carroll Campus, has surplus furniture available from a recent library remodel. View all of the options available here. Contact Julie in Purchasing at jaklocke1@dmacc.edu if your school is interested in any of the items.
Available items include:
- Computer desks/cubbies
- Red armless chairs (qty 54)
- Red chairs with arms (qty 2)
- Tables: 3' x 5' sq (qty 4)
- End table: 2'h x 29" sq
- Coffee table: 16"h x 36" sq
- Round tables: 4' diam. (qty 3)
- Round coffee table: 16"h x 36" diam.
- Magazine rack shelving: 3 ft x 82in (8 sections)
- Large circulation desk
