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

  

May 6 HAA Meeting Reminder

The May 6 HAA meeting will be held in person from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston. At 10:30 a.m., the meeting will transition to a zoom option for a legislative update with Dave Daughton, government relations director with SAI, and other educational partnership updates.

Agenda topics will include:

• 504 Services
• Program Enhancement Services for a Fee
• Contract for State Funds Transfer between AEAs and LEAs for Spec. Ed. Funding
• 2025-26 Billing and Invoicing
• Partnership updates

Phone-Free Classroom Posters and Student Pledge Cards Now Available

Help remind students that keeping their phones off will help them focus on learning! Our new poster and student pledge cards are perfect for classrooms, hallways or shared spaces. Order your posters and pledge cards from Heartland AEA Creative Services today!

Supporting Your Math Counts Journey — Together with Heartland AEA

Heartland AEA math consultants can assist in the implementation of House File 784, also known as the “Math Counts” bill (pending legislation). We will collaborate with you to support screening, data analysis and intervention planning, ensuring students are placed in the appropriate Tier 2 or Tier 3 support. Let’s connect and explore the opportunities for Math Counts Intervention Implementation Support from Heartland AEA.

Contact
Crista Carlile
Service for Fee Team Leader
(515) 310-1566
ccarlile@heartlandaea.org

PD Opportunity: Bring the Science of Reading into Balanced Literacy Classrooms (K–2, Grades 3-5)

Help your K–5 educators strengthen their instructional practices with two targeted professional learning courses via Zoom focused on integrating the Science of Reading into balanced literacy classrooms. Based on the book, Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Classroom, these sessions are designed to clarify misconceptions, close instructional gaps and prioritize meaningful experiences with text for young learners.

Shifting the Balance (Grades K–2)
This course will deepen participants’ understanding of the Science of Reading and how to bring research and evidenced-based instructional practices into the classroom. Participants will plan for the implementation of high impact instructional strategies in the classroom. The text will help educators pinpoint gaps and overlaps, as well as offer direction and clarification for integrating science and balance into daily instruction, while keeping meaningful experiences with text a priority.

Zoom Sessions: June 4 & 25, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Register for K–2 Course


Shifting the Balance (Grades 3–5)
This course will deepen participants’ understanding of the Science of Reading and how to bring research and evidenced-based instructional practices into the classroom. Participants will implement high-impact instructional strategies in the classroom. The text will help educators identify misconceptions and missed opportunities of past practices and offer direction and clarification for integrating science and research into daily instruction, while keeping meaningful experiences with a text a priority.

Zoom Sessions: June 5 & 26, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Register for Grades 3–5 Course


Encourage your staff to take advantage of these timely learning opportunities to strengthen literacy outcomes across grade levels.