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 AEAs Superintendent Update is Now Available

Welcome to Iowa's AEAs first Superintendent Update of the 2024-25 academic year. This update provides important information from Iowa’s AEAs and within the Educational, Media & Technology and Special Education Services areas.

Oct. 1 Heartland Administrators' Association Meeting Reminder & RSVP

The next Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) meeting will be held on Oct. 1 from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. The agenda features Part 1 of a two-part learning session about Chronic Absenteeism. This will be an in-person learning session from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Superintendents are welcome to bring members of their team, but we ask that you RSVP so we don’t exceed room capacity. You can RSVP using this form, or by emailing Jenny Ugolini at jugolini@heartlandaea.org.

At 10:30, the meeting will transition to Business Meeting/Partnership Updates with a Zoom option. See your calendar invite or the agenda for details.

Join the Principal Alliance Lasting Leadership Series: Monthly Discussions on Current Leadership Practices

The Principal Alliance Lasting Leadership Series will focus on current practices in the field of leadership and principalship. Join your colleagues on the last weekday of the month from 9-10 a.m. for thematic whole group and small group discussions centered on current problems of practice. Additional resources will be shared to support the topics.

Next Session: Sept. 27, 2024 | 9-10 a.m. | Zoom link | Agenda and Recordings Available

We’ve Got an Easier Way for You to Register for AEA Professional Learning!

As a busy educator, we know you need an easier way to find, register, and pay for AEA professional learning courses. So Iowa’s AEAs are launching a new, more user-friendly AEA Professional Learning Registration System!

While the new system will have separate sites for each AEA and AEA Learning Online, you’ll still have access to courses from all AEAs and find the sites easier to navigate.

As we continue to enhance the system and introduce new features, we’re confident you will benefit from being able to:

• Browse course catalogs without having to be logged in.
• Log in with identAEA, which uses Google or Microsoft credentials.
• Create a new account instantaneously, rather than waiting 24 hours for activation.

What about my course history and transcript?
Each person’s course history is currently being imported into the new system. As the transcript feature in the new system is being finalized, you may want to download your transcript from the former registration system, as that system will not be available after Sept. 30, 2024. Instructions for how to download your transcript are available here. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your local AEA.

What about instructors?
Instructors should have already entered their credentials (vita) in the new system. If you are an instructor, and you have not yet done this, refer to this communication for more information.

If you are an instructor who is proposing a new course, make sure to enter the course in the registration system of the AEA you are teaching the course for. Example: If you are teaching a course for Great Prairie AEA, go to the Great Prairie AEA registration site to enter your course proposal.

Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance with the new system, contact your AEA’s Professional Learning Office.

Network, Learn, Collaborate: Behavior Support Community of Practice Returns!

The Behavior Support Community of Practice (CoP) will be continuing in the 2024-25 school year! This CoP is an opportunity for district staff who serve in the role of behavior interventionist, behavior coach, behavior strategist, etc., to network, share in learning and collaborate with individuals who hold similar roles.

Activities & Support
Participants will engage in shared learning, as well as sharing practice in the following areas:

• MTSS for social, emotional & behavioral health
• Screening & early warning systems
• Responding to data
• Chronic absenteeism
• Restorative practices
• Effective strategies for transitioning between programs
• Tier 1 indicators of effective culture & climate
• Therapeutic classrooms & approaches
• Optional book study

Dates

• Oct. 3, 2024
• Dec. 9, 2024
• Jan. 23, 2025
• Feb. 24, 2025
• April 10, 2025
• May 15, 2025

Structure of Each Day

• Morning session (9:00 a.m.-noon) focused on content and shared learning
• Afternoon session (1:00-3:30 p.m.) differentiated based on participants’ needs (networking/collaboration/optional book study)

Registration

Registration information will be forthcoming. In the interim, we ask that you complete this interest form by Sept. 6, 2024, if you would like to participate in the 2024-25 CoP. Once the registration link is available, it will be shared.

Important Information about Alternate Assessment and Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Find pertinent information in this document related to alternate assessment: timelines, certification training, support; as well as resources to support instruction.