Dec. 2015 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Dec. 2015 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, drop in on the team at Pocahontas Elementary School in the town of the same name in north central Iowa. There, you will find they are embracing Universal Design for Learning, or UDL, something they find helps individualize classroom work for each and every child – and enables a deeper understanding of content.

Teacher Input Needed on Eval Practices and PD

Iowans who make up the Council on Educator Development have developed recommendations for teacher and administrator evaluation practices and professional development. Feedback is needed on the recommendations from superintendents, principals, teachers and school board members by Dec. 18. 

Give your feedback now!

All survey responses will remain anonymous.

High School Principal Search - Winterset, IA

The Winterset Community School District is conducting a search for a High School Principal due to retirement. Questions can be directed to Susie Meade at (515) 462-2718.

Our Mission

To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.

Our Goals

• Increase learning growth for students

• Decrease gaps in achievement

• Increase annual graduation rates

• Increase gateways to post-secondary success 

Message from the Chief Administrator: Update on the Status of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization

Many of you are aware that that Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA-sometimes referred to as No Child Left Behind) is finally moving through Congress and appears to be on a path for reauthorization by the end of the year.

I encourage you to read this update from Noelle Ellerson (AASA/AESA) and to contact members of the Iowa delegation to urge passage of the bill yet this year. While the final bill language is still unknown and there will likely be elements that are less favorable than we would like, it is a significant improvement over the current federal law.

Paula Vincent
Heartland AEA Chief Administrator

Heartland Administrators’ Association Meeting Reminder

The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will meet Dec. 1 at 9:00 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center in Johnston. An agenda will be forthcoming.

HAA Meeting
Dec. 1, 2015
9:00 a.m.
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center
6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Thanksgiving Holiday Office Hours & Van Delivery

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, all Heartland AEA offices will be closed Nov. 26 and 27. Our van delivery schedule will be as follows:

• Regular delivery Nov. 23-24
• No delivery Nov. 25-27

Regular delivery resumes Nov. 30. Additionally, there will be no Administrator Connection on Nov. 27.

Assessment & Intervention for Students with Visual & Multiple Impairments Course Coming in December

Dec. 9, 2015 and Feb. 23, 2016

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center
Register Now

Target Audience: Teachers, parents, associates, administrators and AEA staff who work with students whose intellectual, conceptual and functional skills are in the 0 to 2-year range of development. The assessments and interventions require a great deal of collaboration in order to determine how the materials should be applied for a given student, so it is recommended a student’s learning partners – parents, school and AEA staff – attend the training as a team.

Iowans Sought for Social Studies Standards Writing Team

Iowans are invited to apply to serve on a state team that will rewrite Iowa’s social studies standards for public review and possible adoption statewide. Any Iowan may apply to serve on the social studies standards writing team, but priority will be given to applicants who have a background in K-12 or higher education. Applications are due Dec. 11. To apply, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VXWX6L7.

For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Education website.

State Board of Education Acts on SBAC Rules

The State Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt administrative rules (IAC 281.12) that implement the Smarter Balanced Assessments as Iowa’s state accountability assessments beginning in May 2017. It’s important to note that the rules are subject to review by the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee before they can take effect.

The Board filed notice of intended action to amend the administrative rule in September. The proposed rules were then published in the Administrative Rules Bulletin in October and a process of public input concluded in early November. The next step is a second review by the Administrative Rules Review Committee on a date that has not yet been determined.

To help navigate the process and the rules, please read the FAQ and Talking Points provided by the Department.

For more information, contact David Tilly, Deputy Director, Iowa Department of Education, at (515) 281-3333.

Last Call! Take the DE/AEA Customer Survey!

The deadline is quickly approaching for educators to complete the annual DE/AEA Customer Survey. This is your opportunity to provide valuable feedback about AEA services. The survey is open until Nov. 25, 2015. Please share with your staff. If you have any issues accessing the survey, contact Dr. Gary Dannenbring.