The alternate assessment process will continue with a few substantial changes this year. To ensure that teachers completing the alternate assessment for the 2011-2012 school year have up-to-date information regarding timelines and activities, please make sure that any teachers who did not complete an alternate assessment last year are subscribed to the Heartland IAA listserv. Teachers who DID complete one last year are on the state database and will receive messages from the state automatically. Teachers who did not complete an assessment last year will NOT receive state messages right away. To subscribe to the listserv, teachers can send a blank email to this address: alternateassessment-subscribe@aea11.k12.ia.us.
All teachers are encouraged to check the alternate assessment page on the Iowa DE’s website at http://educateiowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=461&Itemid=1576
Please direct any questions to Pam Childers at pchilders@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14457.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Free All-Day Training Session for New School Nurses
Morning Session
This workshop will teach your new school nurse how to screen vision according to the University of Iowa guidelines. This hands-on experience screening real children is invaluable. CEU credit available for a fee. Click here for more information.
Afternoon Session
This gives an overview of laws, rules, regulations and policies that govern the practice of school nursing. We also discuss medication administration, delegation, Section 504 and general screening guidelines. Please have your new school nurse complete the registration found here. September 1 is the final day for registration to insure to receive a free resource packet.
This workshop will teach your new school nurse how to screen vision according to the University of Iowa guidelines. This hands-on experience screening real children is invaluable. CEU credit available for a fee. Click here for more information.
Afternoon Session
This gives an overview of laws, rules, regulations and policies that govern the practice of school nursing. We also discuss medication administration, delegation, Section 504 and general screening guidelines. Please have your new school nurse complete the registration found here. September 1 is the final day for registration to insure to receive a free resource packet.
Microsoft Settlement Updates ICN on September 7
ICN sessions have been set up that will contain information regarding vouchers and claims, external evaluation participation information and procedure for amending your application. A representative from the claims administrator will be part of the session to help answer questions. Registration for the sessions opened this Tuesday and is located at http://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/event-detail.cfm?ID=11186. Each session is limited to 65 participants and is set up for different regions. Heartland AEA’s area is scheduled for September 7, 2011 at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration closes Friday, September 2, 2011.
One important change regarding addendums to your application is that all succeeding school year changes can be made during the months of August, September and October of that year. Changes to the hardware, software and teaching strategies can be made each year of the program. It is important for districts and buildings to know what they are going to do for each upcoming school year and make the necessary changes as needed. The reason for this is to reduce administrative cost and to make the process as smooth as possible.
Lastly, please contact John O’Connell at john.oconnell@mchsi.com if you have changed any of your administration or your contact information for this program. You can check the contact information by going on the application site at www.edinfo.state.ia.us, login and select the district name to see if the contact information needs to be changed or if there has been an administrative change at any of the eligible schools in your district.
One important change regarding addendums to your application is that all succeeding school year changes can be made during the months of August, September and October of that year. Changes to the hardware, software and teaching strategies can be made each year of the program. It is important for districts and buildings to know what they are going to do for each upcoming school year and make the necessary changes as needed. The reason for this is to reduce administrative cost and to make the process as smooth as possible.
Lastly, please contact John O’Connell at john.oconnell@mchsi.com if you have changed any of your administration or your contact information for this program. You can check the contact information by going on the application site at www.edinfo.state.ia.us, login and select the district name to see if the contact information needs to be changed or if there has been an administrative change at any of the eligible schools in your district.
Students Can Take Advantage of Discounted Microsoft Software Titles
Please share the following message to your parents in your school/district. A letter is available for download here.
Thanks to your school, Microsoft, the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) and Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEAs), we are pleased to announce that all Iowa K-12 students are eligible to purchase select Microsoft software titles at substantial discounts (up to 85% off retail prices). The IEC and Iowa AEAs have made this possible by participating in the Microsoft Student Select K-12 program.
In addition to the Microsoft products, significant discounts are available on other popular software titles such as:
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Judy Cleveland, Heartland AEA Technology Specialist, at jcleveland@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14538.
Thanks to your school, Microsoft, the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) and Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEAs), we are pleased to announce that all Iowa K-12 students are eligible to purchase select Microsoft software titles at substantial discounts (up to 85% off retail prices). The IEC and Iowa AEAs have made this possible by participating in the Microsoft Student Select K-12 program.
*Stated savings compare retail prices of Microsoft products to Microsoft Products through the IEC Student Select Program. Actual reseller prices may vary.
In addition to the Microsoft products, significant discounts are available on other popular software titles such as:
- Adobe Products (including-InDesign CS5 & Adobe PhotoShop)
- Dragon Naturally Speaking - You talk, it types. Fast, Easy, Accurate
- Inspiration & Kidspiration
- CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5
- FileMaker Pro
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Judy Cleveland, Heartland AEA Technology Specialist, at jcleveland@aea11.k12.ia.us or (515) 270-0405 ext. 14538.
Test-drive the New HEART 2.0 Before its Launch
We are very close to declaring the next version of HEART “done.” We hope to put this new version into production within the next few weeks if possible. There are just a few loose ends and bugs to attend to. If you want to take a test drive, you can log into the development server and try it out. Use your regular login information and the following address: https://heart2.aea11.k12.ia.us. The data in the system are up-to-date as of July 1.
You may also use the North Overshoe login to try this server:
District: North Overshoe
UserCode: Try HEART
Password: tryme
If you encounter any problems or bugs, we’d like to know about them. Please send contact Connor Hood at chood@aea11.k12.ia.us with specific information about what you saw, where, and what you expected to happen instead. (One known bug affects the login page. If it doesn’t draw completely, click the refresh button on your browser.)
Here are a few comments about the new system:
You may also use the North Overshoe login to try this server:
District: North Overshoe
UserCode: Try HEART
Password: tryme
If you encounter any problems or bugs, we’d like to know about them. Please send contact Connor Hood at chood@aea11.k12.ia.us with specific information about what you saw, where, and what you expected to happen instead. (One known bug affects the login page. If it doesn’t draw completely, click the refresh button on your browser.)
Here are a few comments about the new system:
- A lot of the work is behind the scenes to make things faster and more consistent. Hopefully you'll notice the speed and not something odd.
- The look and feel has been standardized, and some things have been moved around.
- The lists are sortable in both directions. Click the column header to sort one way, click again to sort the other way. You can also download lists if needed.
- User setup should be similar to what you are used to.
- Class setup is changed fairly dramatically and we still look for ways to simplify and improve it. If any of you set up classes in the current system, your feedback would be appreciated.
- The management control panel has had a complete makeover to reduce confusion; there are some new features and some redeveloped ones.
- The cleanup interface has also been upgraded. You can try it out, but be aware that any work done will not be permanent as we are still in the development stages of the server. Upgraded features include the status column that helps spot new records that need attention, duplicate State ID search and sorting/cleanup enhancements.
- Additional data error search tools have been added. They are intended to help find and clean up some of the common errors in student records.
- Individual student reports should behave much like they always have.
- All the graphs have been recreated using newer graphing technology. One new feature is the return of a high-resolution graph version (made possible by making the graph shrinkable as needed) without the need for the GraphViewer application.
- Flexibility has been added to view data that are collected more than once a year (MAP, DIBELS, etc.). The default option will behave as you are used to in the current version of HEART.
- There are more options in the growth chart with one new feature that allows the selection of the student data to display in average and percentile ranks (names of these options might be reworked later). The average rank display shows the average for the selected group. The percentile rank display adds two lines which are calculated from the selected data based on the percentile ranks of the comparison lines. (For example, if 25-50-75 is selected, the 25th percentile, 50th percentile and 75th percentile for the selected group will be calculated and displayed along with the growth lines.
- Student scores now have a format selector. One can view scores by tests administered in a building and scores by students currently in a building.
- Behavior entry and analysis work a lot like they always have.
- Most other displays should work and appear familiar, but with slight tweaks to the layout and functioning.
Invitation to the Administrator Connection
If you are interested in having the Administrator Connection sent to other personnel in your district in addition to the superintendent, principal and curriculum coordinator, please contact the Heartland Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us. Please include the name, title (assistant principal, curriculum director, etc.), email and building that each person serves.
Friday, June 3, 2011
AEA PD Online Changes for 2011-2012
Hopefully by now you have explored the professional development opportunities available on our new AEA PD Online site for you and your teachers. If not, please take some time today to visit the site, browse the courses and learn more about the system, designed to bring you convenient and engaging online courses.
Educators across the state have taken advantage of online courses, and for the first time, all of the AEAs are putting their online courses in one place - AEA PD Online. They provide a 21st century learning experience, embedded with digital resources and self-directed activity, mixed with digital collaboration with classmates. And they save on the cost of gas!
New in 2011-2012
A portion of the content available through AEA PD online are individual training modules on a variety of topics. These training modules are completed independently by the participant, and there is usually some type of certificate indicating completion of the module.
Due to the uncertainty of next year’s education funding and the cost of upkeep and development of the system, AEAs are no longer able to provide the system at no cost. In order to keep progress moving forward, beginning July 1, 2011, there will be a $25 charge for educators to complete the Mandatory Reporter training. We regret that this fee will be incurred, but are pleased to announce that it will come with value-added functionality in AEA PD Online for districts compared to the current system. Mandatory Reporter training is the only training module with a fee for Heartland area schools at this time. Here is a quick snapshot of what you will have in 2011-12:
District Administrative Access – For the first time, districts will have the ability to manage their own information on the system, allowing for more personalized professional development. This includes:
Growing Content – AEA PD Online offers 17 dynamic training opportunities for educators with plans to add 5-10 new trainings throughout each year. This will include trainings in a diversity of areas:
Educators across the state have taken advantage of online courses, and for the first time, all of the AEAs are putting their online courses in one place - AEA PD Online. They provide a 21st century learning experience, embedded with digital resources and self-directed activity, mixed with digital collaboration with classmates. And they save on the cost of gas!
New in 2011-2012
A portion of the content available through AEA PD online are individual training modules on a variety of topics. These training modules are completed independently by the participant, and there is usually some type of certificate indicating completion of the module.
Due to the uncertainty of next year’s education funding and the cost of upkeep and development of the system, AEAs are no longer able to provide the system at no cost. In order to keep progress moving forward, beginning July 1, 2011, there will be a $25 charge for educators to complete the Mandatory Reporter training. We regret that this fee will be incurred, but are pleased to announce that it will come with value-added functionality in AEA PD Online for districts compared to the current system. Mandatory Reporter training is the only training module with a fee for Heartland area schools at this time. Here is a quick snapshot of what you will have in 2011-12:
District Administrative Access – For the first time, districts will have the ability to manage their own information on the system, allowing for more personalized professional development. This includes:
- View and print reports on training completion (either on an individual basis or on a district-wide “compliance report” basis).
- Manage district employee passwords
- Schedule their own training deadlines for employees.
- Set up an automated notification system for employees to complete trainings.
- Set up their own district trainings – districts can upload a .pdf (such as a staff handbook or an acceptable use policy) for employees to read and agree to.
Growing Content – AEA PD Online offers 17 dynamic training opportunities for educators with plans to add 5-10 new trainings throughout each year. This will include trainings in a diversity of areas:
- Human Resources (such as harassment in the workplace, food safety, diversity awareness)
- Professional Development (such as Iowa Core, content-specific training, IDM, PBIS)
- Emergency Planning (such as crisis response, school intruders)
- Understanding of Legal Requirements (such as FERPA, special education)
- Technology (such as copyright infringement, online safety, appropriate email use)
- Other Area-Specific Trainings (such as bus behavior, food preparation, playground supervision, conflict management)
Summer Hours for Heartland AEA Regional Offices
We have set the summer office hours for our regional offices. These times will be in effect from June 13-August 10. Please see the schedule below.
Adel
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ames
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Carroll
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Guthrie Center
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Indianola
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Johnston
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (June 13-30) and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (July 1-August 10)
Knoxville
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Newton
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Adel
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ames
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Carroll
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Guthrie Center
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Indianola
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Johnston
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (June 13-30) and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (July 1-August 10)
Knoxville
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Newton
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Heartland AEA Print & Production Open House, June 20-24
Please remember to stop in for our Print & Production Open House during the week of June 20-24, 2011 at our Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). See how your school can save money using Heartland AEA’s Print & Production services! Free giveaways of professional library books, DVDs and Ellison shapes and letters will be available while supplies last.
Superintendents: HAA Dates for 2011-2012
The Heartland Administrators Association will meet from 9:00 to 11:50 a.m. the first Tuesday of every month, September through May. Please note that meetings will take place in Room 13A and B of our Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). The Superintendent Advisory Council will meet on the same day as the HAA from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. in Room 14 of the Johnston Regional Education Center. Next year’s dates are the following:
September 6, 2011
October 4, 2011
November 1, 2011
December 6, 2011
January 3, 2012
February 7, 2012
March 6, 2012
April 3, 2012
May 1, 2012
September 6, 2011
October 4, 2011
November 1, 2011
December 6, 2011
January 3, 2012
February 7, 2012
March 6, 2012
April 3, 2012
May 1, 2012
Friday, May 27, 2011
DVD Suggestions for Your Districts’ Fall Inservices
Reserve the following DVDs online through our Media Library or call the Heartland AEA library at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14323.
Seeing red cars. #256075, 10 min.
Explains how focusing on what we don't want gets in the way of doing our jobs and completing tasks. It can impede teamwork and communication. Focus on what you want.
It's a way, not a day: bringing your values to life. #256252, 22 min.
Anchor an organization's values in staff hearts and minds: proclaim it, live it, celebrate it.
2 million minutes: a documentary calculating the educational divide. #255787, 54 min.
Shows 6 high school students in China, India and U.S. It contrasts educational opportunities, philosophies and global vision.
Shout it out. #256339, 90 min.
Adaptation of the stage musical "The Voices Project" (2005) is based on the lives of Vermont teens. It follows them through academic pressure; friction with peers, teachers and parents; trying to fit in, trying to find one's self, fear of the future; nostalgia for the past; friendship; and first love.
You are not alone. #256278, 29 min.
Quinn Bradlee talks about his experiences as a kid with learning disabilities. Flashback vignettes. Topics: being different, being ignored, friendship, bullying, relationships, gaining self-confidence, responsibility and self-advocacy.
Total quality at Prairie View Elementary (Cedar Rapids): a new way of learning. #256289, 17 min.
Students work in teams, plan with a systems approach, use diagrams to solve problems, set goals and chart their progress.
Who moved my cheese? #253834, 13 min.
This animated parable reveals profound truths about change. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in your life.
The first day of school in a responsive classroom. #256112, 40 min.
A 3rd grade teacher sets a tone of safety, friendliness and focuses learning on the very first day of school.
Morning meeting activities in a responsive classroom. #256117, 35 min.
Shows activities in urban, suburban, and rural classrooms.
Morning meeting greetings in a responsive classroom. #256114, 35 min.
Features 11 meeting greetings in grades K-5 for any time of the year.
Teaching with poverty in mind, elementary school. #256296, 30 min.
Teaching with poverty in mind, secondary school. #256297, 30 min.
These programs look at school-wide success factors that support the whole child and foster a school culture that refuses to let students fail.
Preview the following at http://www.simpletruths.com. The DVDs use music and a montage of inspirational quotes.
Gone through any changes lately? #256298, 4 min. Laughter is an instant vacation: humorous quotes on life. #256264, 3 min.
Pulling together: the ten rules of high performance workteams. #266306, 3 min.
Priorities for life: capacity and energy. #256259, 5 min.
Priorities for life: change. #256260, 5 min.
Priorities for life: leadership. #256261, 5 min.
Priorities for life: priorities. #256262, 5 min. Priorities for life: excelling in a changing world. #256157, 6 min. Priorities for life: reaching the next level and beyond. #256156, 5 min.
The “Did you know?” video about information and technology was updated in January 2011. It is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8W1WuxGniE.
Seeing red cars. #256075, 10 min.
Explains how focusing on what we don't want gets in the way of doing our jobs and completing tasks. It can impede teamwork and communication. Focus on what you want.
It's a way, not a day: bringing your values to life. #256252, 22 min.
Anchor an organization's values in staff hearts and minds: proclaim it, live it, celebrate it.
2 million minutes: a documentary calculating the educational divide. #255787, 54 min.
Shows 6 high school students in China, India and U.S. It contrasts educational opportunities, philosophies and global vision.
Shout it out. #256339, 90 min.
Adaptation of the stage musical "The Voices Project" (2005) is based on the lives of Vermont teens. It follows them through academic pressure; friction with peers, teachers and parents; trying to fit in, trying to find one's self, fear of the future; nostalgia for the past; friendship; and first love.
You are not alone. #256278, 29 min.
Quinn Bradlee talks about his experiences as a kid with learning disabilities. Flashback vignettes. Topics: being different, being ignored, friendship, bullying, relationships, gaining self-confidence, responsibility and self-advocacy.
Total quality at Prairie View Elementary (Cedar Rapids): a new way of learning. #256289, 17 min.
Students work in teams, plan with a systems approach, use diagrams to solve problems, set goals and chart their progress.
Who moved my cheese? #253834, 13 min.
This animated parable reveals profound truths about change. Cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in your life.
The first day of school in a responsive classroom. #256112, 40 min.
A 3rd grade teacher sets a tone of safety, friendliness and focuses learning on the very first day of school.
Morning meeting activities in a responsive classroom. #256117, 35 min.
Shows activities in urban, suburban, and rural classrooms.
Morning meeting greetings in a responsive classroom. #256114, 35 min.
Features 11 meeting greetings in grades K-5 for any time of the year.
Teaching with poverty in mind, elementary school. #256296, 30 min.
Teaching with poverty in mind, secondary school. #256297, 30 min.
These programs look at school-wide success factors that support the whole child and foster a school culture that refuses to let students fail.
Preview the following at http://www.simpletruths.com. The DVDs use music and a montage of inspirational quotes.
Gone through any changes lately? #256298, 4 min. Laughter is an instant vacation: humorous quotes on life. #256264, 3 min.
Pulling together: the ten rules of high performance workteams. #266306, 3 min.
Priorities for life: capacity and energy. #256259, 5 min.
Priorities for life: change. #256260, 5 min.
Priorities for life: leadership. #256261, 5 min.
Priorities for life: priorities. #256262, 5 min. Priorities for life: excelling in a changing world. #256157, 6 min. Priorities for life: reaching the next level and beyond. #256156, 5 min.
The “Did you know?” video about information and technology was updated in January 2011. It is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8W1WuxGniE.
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