Iowa’s AEAs Ready to Assist School Administrators in Learning About Iowa Standards for School Leaders

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are ready to help district administrators in learning about and implementing the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL 2021). We’ve put together three different options so administrators can choose the learning that best fits their needs. By partnering as a system, Iowa’s AEAs can establish common outcomes, resources, and learning opportunities for school leaders around the new school leader standards.

• Asynchronous Modules
• Micro-Learning Opportunities
• Face-to-Face Sessions

Refer to this document for more information or contact Amy Wichman, Director of Instructional Services.

Explore & Implement the Iowa Standards for School Leaders

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are ready to help you and your district administrators in learning about and implementing the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL 2021). We’ve put together three different options so you can choose the learning that best fits your needs. By partnering as a system, we establish common outcomes, resources, and learning opportunities for school leaders around the new school leader standards.

• Asynchronous Modules
• Micro Learning Opportunities
• Face-to-Face Sessions

Refer to this document for more information or contact Amy Wichman, Director of Instructional Services, for assistance.

Check Out These Opportunities from Google Workspace for Education and Seesaw

Google Workspace for Education Webinar - April 28

Join Anne Nash, a program manager for the Google Education, for an informational webinar highlighting exciting updates coming to districts through Google Workspace for Education!

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are partnering with Google to provide technology directors and instructional coaches with an informational overview of updates and answer questions districts may have as they prepare for next year, including:

• New Google Workspace for Education Editions (Free and Premium)
• New features coming to: Meet, Classroom, Docs, Drive, Admin Console and more!

April 28, 2021
12 p.m. - 1p.m.
Sign Up Form

Please complete this form to have the Meet link & resources shared with you.

Learn more about this opportunity and a pricing update from Tempus Nova in Tech Director Updates from Iowa’s AEAs.


Iowa’s AEAs Offer Special Seesaw Agreement for Districts
Iowa’s Area Education Agencies will be partnering with Seesaw to offer districts a reduced annual subscription starting July 1, 2021 to provide equitable access to Seesaw for Schools. This agreement ensures schools and districts throughout Iowa have equitable access to Seesaw at the same per student price, regardless of student enrollment. Read more about purchasing and billing and next steps in AEAs Offer Special Seesaw Agreement for Districts.

Iowa’s AEAs Continue Pear Deck Funding for 2021-22 + News on Seesaw, ClassLink OneClick and BrightBytes

Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Pear Deck
Thanks to the overwhelming use and positive feedback from educators across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are planning to continue to fund district access to the Pear Deck platform for the 2021-22 school year. AEAs will monitor usage, future costs and factors to determine AEA involvement in the purchase of Pear Deck beyond 2021-22. Future funding options will be communicated in early 2022.

Seesaw
To support the high usage of Seesaw for Schools across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are negotiating a statewide pricing model to reduce the costs for districts interested in utilizing Seesaw for Schools during the 2021-22 school year. By aggregating Iowa districts under one contract, Seesaw for Schools can offer their service for significant per student savings.

Districts new to Seesaw for Schools or whose contracts expire before Dec. 2021 can opt in and be eligible for consortium pricing that includes a significant discount off of the standard $5.50 per student rate. (Districts who have prepaid subscriptions and are under contract past 2021 can transition their agreement and opt into the statewide pricing per student when their contracts are up for renewal. This can be coordinated through your AEA contact when they reach out to you.)

ClassLink OneClick
The AEA system has purchased AEA ClassLink OneClick for Iowa districts. AEA ClassLink OneClick is a launchpad that provides district teachers and students single sign-on access to AEA resources, such as the Professional Learning System, AEA Learning Online, Online Resources and more. AEA ClassLink OneClick is managed entirely by Iowa AEAs, this resource is a low maintenance solution for school administrators—no on-site district support is required to use this high-impact resource.

Teachers and students around the state have started using this intuitive interface to organize and display the online applications and resources they use. The AEAs are working on an implementation plan that includes access for ALL districts by early fall 2021.

BrightBytes
For several years Iowa AEAs, in partnership with BrightBytes, have provided tools to assist districts with collecting actionable data to aid in decision making. Districts currently have access to several BrightBytes modules including Technology & Learning, Modern Learning Solution and Digital Privacy, Safety & Security.

The AEAs want to help ensure districts do not miss out on the opportunity to collect this important data as AEA financial support for these BrightBytes tools will end June 30, 2021. This spring is the last opportunity for Iowa districts to collect data for FREE.
Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Iowa’s AEAs Continue Pear Deck Funding for 2021-22 + News on Seesaw, ClassLink OneClick and BrightBytes

Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Pear Deck
Thanks to the overwhelming use and positive feedback from educators across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are planning to continue to fund district access to the Pear Deck platform for the 2021-22 school year. AEAs will monitor usage, future costs and factors to determine AEA involvement in the purchase of Pear Deck beyond 2021-22. Future funding options will be communicated in early 2022.

Seesaw
To support the high usage of Seesaw for Schools across the state, Iowa’s AEAs are negotiating a statewide pricing model to reduce the costs for districts interested in utilizing Seesaw for Schools during the 2021-22 school year. By aggregating Iowa districts under one contract, Seesaw for Schools can offer their service for significant per student savings.

Districts new to Seesaw for Schools or whose contracts expire before Dec. 2021 can opt in and be eligible for consortium pricing that includes a significant discount off of the standard $5.50 per student rate. (Districts who have prepaid subscriptions and are under contract past 2021 can transition their agreement and opt into the statewide pricing per student when their contracts are up for renewal. This can be coordinated through your AEA contact when they reach out to you.)

ClassLink OneClick
The AEA system has purchased AEA ClassLink OneClick for Iowa districts. AEA ClassLink OneClick is a launchpad that provides district teachers and students single sign-on access to AEA resources, such as the Professional Learning System, AEA Learning Online, Online Resources and more. AEA ClassLink OneClick is managed entirely by Iowa AEAs, this resource is a low maintenance solution for school administrators—no on-site district support is required to use this high-impact resource.

Teachers and students around the state have started using this intuitive interface to organize and display the online applications and resources they use. The AEAs are working on an implementation plan that includes access for ALL districts by early fall 2021.

BrightBytes
For several years Iowa AEAs, in partnership with BrightBytes, have provided tools to assist districts with collecting actionable data to aid in decision making. Districts currently have access to several BrightBytes modules including Technology & Learning, Modern Learning Solution and Digital Privacy, Safety & Security.

The AEAs want to help ensure districts do not miss out on the opportunity to collect this important data as AEA financial support for these BrightBytes tools will end June 30, 2021. This spring is the last opportunity for Iowa districts to collect data for FREE.

Learn more about all of these opportunities in this March AEA Update for Districts!

Share with Colleagues: Chapter 103 Resources Created by Iowa’s AEAs

In response to district needs surrounding Iowa Code Chapter 103, Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have developed Frequently Asked Questions along with supporting forms/templates. These resources are intended for district use and should be shared as needed. The templates below will force you to make a copy, and districts can format them with their district’s branding.  

• Guardian Debriefing Letter Template
 
• Incident Debriefing Meeting Template
 
• Use of Physical Restraint and/or Seclusion Documentation Form
 
• All Users
 
• PDF Version (Fillable PDF, but does not track data like the below options)
 
• Google Users
 
• Instructions (Download and link to autofilled Parent Report)
 
• Microsoft Users 
 
• Instructions (Download and make form your own)
   

If you have any questions about these materials, contact your regional director and/or Kristi Upah, Chief Student Services Officer.

Share Your Thoughts to Help Us Improve Our Paraeducator Offerings

Iowa’s AEAs would like to collect information regarding increasing AEA paraeducator offerings. Please help us improve our process by providing your experience and feedback through this brief survey by Feb. 15, 2021. Thank you!

Increased Collaboration Between Iowa’s AEAs Brings Creative Services Pricing Adjustments in 2021

Iowa’s AEAs are collaborating to improve access for Iowa’s PK-12 educators to creative services (printing, lamination, graphic design, production of instructional materials). Equity and access are guiding principles that influence the common pricing of materials and services across the state. As a result, a common statewide pricing structure will be implemented for schools in the Heartland AEA service area beginning Feb. 1, 2021. Statewide pricing impacts costs for lamination, graphic design time and our various printing services (color, black/white, posters, banners, binding, special print, etc.). Production costs are subsidized by each AEA, and the AEAs do not profit from the schools’ purchase of these services and materials. If you have any questions, contact Kurt Subra, Heartland AEA Chief Financial Officer or Susan Schrader, Heartland AEA Director of Resources and Library Services.

5 Steps To Support the Successful Postsecondary Transition for the Class of 2021

AEA PREP is sharing an important resource for counselors working with high school students. This document highlights the five steps taken to support the successful postsecondary transition for the class of 2021 and this video provides direction on the first step of developing your Postsecondary Response Team. AEA PREP will be providing additional resources for the other four steps over the next few weeks.

Iowa’s AEAs Are Offering Variety of PD Opportunities to Support Educators with Online Instruction

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have collaborated to generate multiple professional development opportunities and resources that support appropriate instructional pedagogy for teaching in the online environment. The deliverables include varied formats for independent earning, district facilitated learning or learning in collaboration with an AEA partner, including:

• Competency Scale
• Menu of PD Opportunities
• Learning Opportunity Database
• Supporting Online Learning Webinars
• District IT Webinars
• Modern Teacher Pricing

Supporting Online Learning: an AEA Webinar Series Begins Aug. 4

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are pleased to partner with Iowa educators to share information about how to help support online learning. These practices can be utilized in online learning, but may be applied when educators and students are in the classroom together. This three-week series will cover topics around creating an online learning environment, designing and delivering online learning, how to facilitate good communication & collaboration and embedding feedback & assessment. 

Here is the schedule and details which will be used as a landing page for resources and recording links for these instructional sessions.

To join these webinars, please sign up here and an email will be sent with the Zoom link. The webinars will also be streamed live on the AEA Facebook page and all resources and recordings will be archived on this document.

Separate sessions are also being offered, and geared specifically for district IT professionals. That schedule and details are available at this link.

Iowa’s AEAs Resources to Support Required Continuous Learning

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are pleased to share information about virtual continuous learning and online curriculum options with Iowa school districts. Based on feedback from local districts on their needs and concerns, the AEAs have worked with vendors to cull information about their programs that includes volume pricing based on enrollment, details on how the tools integrate with student information systems and various LMS platforms, available professional learning and support, and other key details. Districts interested in any of these products should contact the individual vendor to coordinate district-specific contracts for the upcoming academic year. Please note that the AEAs are pleased to coordinate information about these resources, but the AEAs are not subsidizing or purchasing these resources for districts.

FAST Registration for the 2020-21 School Year

This year Iowa’s AEAs again will be subsidizing the costs for schools to upgrade their DE-provided FAST subscriptions that includes the expanded assessment suite in math and behavior for K-6, and literacy, math and behavior for grades 7 & 8. Participation is available both to schools that purchased the expanded assessment suite in previous years and those that want to use it for the first time in 2020-21.

Subscriptions are based on a per student annual cost, and your AEA and the statewide AEA system have committed to covering 50 percent of the cost for each K-8 student in Iowa. The deadline to register is May 16. If you have any questions, email Kevin Fangman, Heartland AEA Chief Academic Officer.

New Parameters for Finishing up Paperwork for the Year

The AEA Special Education Directors have created a brief document that highlights some parameters for closing up paperwork for this school year. In summary it encourages teams to complete IEP meetings and evaluations following the AEA Special Education Procedures and the AEA parameters, as well as an update on ESYS and graduation. This new parameters document expands on the DE's special education Q&A document that was distributed on April 30.

Zoom Directions for Parents - Please Share!

At Heartland AEA, we are primarily using the Zoom platform for virtual meetings. We recognize that not everyone is familiar with this technology. It’s our intent to support students and families in a meaningful way and to make access to technology as seamless as possible. Our technology team compiled tips when working with Zoom and invites you to share with families in your district.

Iowa’s AEAs to Host Legislative Education Advocacy Event

Registration is open for the 2020 Legislative Education Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This event will bring together school administrators from across Iowa to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight, and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol. Check out the event plans and register at this link: https://www.smore.com/qe4y5.

Iowa’s AEAs to Host Legislative Education Advocacy Event in Feb. 2020

Register now for the 2020 Legislative Education Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This event will bring together school administrators from across Iowa to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight, and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol. Check out the event plans and register at this link: https://www.smore.com/qe4y5. 


Nov. 2019 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents

The Nov. 2019 Iowa AEA System Update for Superintendents includes information about AEA Scout, TLC fund balances, the new AEA Purchasing Marketplace, teacher librarian collaborations, legislative advocacy event, and meeting the requirements of recent mental health legislation.

Iowa Teacher Librarians Again Have Opportunity to Collaborate During Monthly Online Sessions

Iowa’s AEAs are again offering Iowa school teacher-librarians the opportunity to network, share ideas and “talk shop.” The “Better Together: Collaborative Conversations” is a series in which an AEA teacher-librarian and a guest expert will facilitate a monthly online discussion about a predetermined topic with time built in for networking and Q & A. This year’s sessions will focus on the Iowa School Library Program Standards.

And the best part? No cost, no long agenda and no drive time!

Check out this online flyer for all the details.

AEAs Are Providing Training to Help Districts Meet Requirements of Recent Mental Health Legislation

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) are providing support to Iowa schools to meet the requirements of new legislation that requires school districts to provide annual employee training and protocols in two areas related to mental health:

• Suicide Prevention and Postvention
• Identification of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Strategies to Mitigate Toxic Stress Response

Iowa’s AEAs also offer Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training that focuses on how to help students who are experiencing a mental health, addiction challenge or crisis. YMHFA is a nationally recognized curriculum.

In addition, Heartland AEA is offering Iowa Building Strong Brains, to provide all Iowa educators with awareness of brain-aligned, trauma sensitive strategies for working with all students in Iowa’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports. This professional learning opportunity meets Iowa’s legislative requirements for training school employees on “Identification of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Strategies to Mitigate Toxic Stress Response.”

For more assistance, contact the Heartland AEA Regional Director who serves your district or AEA Learning Online.