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.
We know many of you have questions regarding Early ACCESS and Special Education services in the weeks to come. Given this work is driven by both federal and state policy and procedures, please refer to the following documents to address questions you may have at this time:
If you have a new special education teacher or a special education teacher who is new to Iowa, Heartland AEA offers a professional learning course on IEP Processes & Development. Contact your Heartland AEA Regional Director to obtain registration information for the training session in your area.
Heartland AEA is looking for a Chief Student Services Officer to fulfill the responsibilities of the Heartland AEA Director of Special Education. The CSSO will be responsible for providing oversight for the Agency’s support of area school districts to meet state and federal special education statutes, rules and regulations. The CSSO will also:
- Advocate for an appropriate and effective education for all children and youth
- Foster supportive and productive relationships among all work groups at Heartland AEA and with the families, schools and communities that Heartland AEA serves
- Serve as Heartland AEA’s liaison to the Iowa Department of Education for special education and related services
- Serve as the Agency’s representative for the statewide Special Education Directors Network
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 30 through the Heartland AEA website.
School administrators and other school leaders play a key role in facilitating the success of all substitutes. Many students have IEPs, 504 plans, behavioral and academic intervention plans, and health care plans with specific content and requirements for student success. When substitutes are working in your buildings and classrooms, it is critical that they are made aware of and are able to follow all student plans.
A substitute folder, that many teachers already prepare for substitutes, could be expanded to include specific information about students with IEPs, 504 plan, health plans, and behavioral and academic intervention plans who may require specific “need to know” information in order to meet their requirements throughout the day and across settings.
Being prepared and considering those settings and specific needs can help the substitute provide the best experience possible, not only for the students, but also for themselves.
As you know, this summer a decision by an Iowa Administrative Law judge called into question aspects of Iowa’s procedures for determining how students qualify for special education. The final outcome of this hearing is currently under appeal.
The judge’s conclusions affirm many of our practices at Heartland AEA, as well as provide us with an opportunity to improve others. As an agency, we have already begun work to clarify and sharpen our practices to be fully aligned with expected state practices.
Heartland AEA is committed to serving the needs of our students, families, schools and communities. We firmly believe that students in our schools should expect to have their educational needs met. We recognize that, as unique individuals, each child deserves to have their needs determined accurately and reliably. In this effort, we recognize that there are times when we need to make decisions, as part of an evaluation team (including parents and representatives from the AEA and the school), to recommend special education services. As well, there will be times when we need to assure that students who are not disabled or do not require special education because of a disability are not erroneously considered to be or treated as if they are.
Moving forward, we trust our Heartland AEA system and processes to address the needs of all students whether or not they have a disability. In all cases, our goal is to promote student success. We continue to work diligently to address all concerns brought to our attention and will continue to partner with our colleagues from our local schools, the Iowa Department of Education and our communities.
As your AEA, we will continue to provide you with updates related to the judge’s decision and will inform you of related learning opportunities that will be made available to you and your staff.
As always, we encourage you to contact your Heartland AEA regional director with any questions or concerns. It takes the effort of all of us to meet the many challenges involved in student success.
Randy Allison
Acting Director of Special Education
Heartland AEA
Jon Sheldahl
Chief Administrator
Heartland AEA
