Do You Administer the TELPA Screener Training?

Anyone administering the Tennessee English Language Placement Assessment (TELPA) during the 2016-17 academic year must certify or recertify through training on AEA PD Online.

PRESS Trainings Are Scheduled This Month in Ames, CR and Storm Lake

PRESS (Path to Reading Excellence in School Sites) Trainings are two-day learning opportunities for training cadre members, agency consultants and school leadership teams. The goal for PRESS and C4K is to train district and non-public school staff to use PRESS interventions for literacy at the targeted levels in grades K-6 while developing AEA and state capacity to support implementation within the Universal Instruction and Intervention System facilitation guides.

PRESS is integrating with the C4K statewide system and a variety of learning opportunities and resources for Iowa educators will be available to help establish a school-based system and practices for all K-6 students in order to become capable readers.

Registration Links:
Closing date for registration will be one week prior to the PRESS event.

Buena Vista University (Storm Lake)
Sept. 19-20, 2016
Registration Link

Heartland AEA (Ames)
Sept. 26-27, 2016
Registration Link

Grant Wood AEA (Cedar Rapids)
Sept. 29-30, 2016
Registration Link

Paraeducator Generalist II Area of Concentration for ESL Class Starts in November

This class is the required course to receive the Paraeducator Certification Generalist II with the Area of Concentration: English as a Second Language (ESL). Through this course, participants will gain knowledge, skills and strategies to assist and support ESL students.

Dates: Nov. 5, Dec. 10, 2016; Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 4 & April 8, 2017
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Register here
Cost: Take advantage of special pricing at $25 as the cost may increase in January 2017.

Title III funds will provide a stipend of $300 for all paraeducators who work with ELLs and who fulfill the course requirements and are currently employed by a public or non-public K-12 school in Heartland AEA 11. This option is not available for employees of Des Moines Public Schools. A reimbursement claim form will be available the last day of class.

Registration is Open for Visible Learning Institute and Deep Equity Seminar

John Hattie’s work has fundamentally changed what we know about what works in education. Through a partnership with Corwin, Heartland AEA is pleased to bring the Visible Learning Institute to area schools. The Visible Learning Plus program includes a three-part foundational series of seminars in which participants learn about Hattie’s work and the Visible Learning approach.

Visible Learning & Deep Equity Program for Heartland AEA Partners
Dates: Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6, 2016 & March 7, 2017
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr., Johnston, IA 50131
Cost: *See Fee and Credit Options in Registration Link
Register by Sept. 9 at this link

**Secure your spot today! Superintendents are invited to register by SEPT. 9, 2016. After that date, registration will open for Heartland AEA staff and individuals outside of the Agency.**

Visible Learning is an in-depth school change model of professional learning and development. It’s designed for school-based leadership teams to systematically examine effective instructional practices in order to determine the impact on student achievement and learning. By considering the effects of the practices of teachers and leaders, schools will be able to make substantial gains in student achievement.

Participants will explore:

• The key philosophy of Visible Learning and the major factors that influence student learning and achievement
• The importance of effect sizes as a useful way to measure progress
• The key characteristics of assessment capable learners
• The mind frames leaders need to have in order to impact student achievement and instruction
• The role of feedback
• The importance of learning intentions and success criteria

Program Dates and Areas of Focus:

• Oct. 4, 2016 -- Effective instructional practices that impact student achievement and learning.
• Nov. 1, 2016 -- Five phases of the Deep Equity process with Dr. Gary Howard for creating culturally responsive teaching.
• Dec. 6, 2016 --Evidence into Action Part One: Continuation of Visible Learning Institute with an emphasis on leadership actions which have the greatest impact on student outcomes.
• March 7, 2017 -- Evidence into Action Part Two: Continuation of Visible Learning Institute with an emphasis on data analysis and management of change strategies.

Iowa History Advisory Council Issues Recommendations on Iowa History Education

Gov. Terry Branstad has announced the Iowa History Advisory Council’s recommendations on ways to improve Iowa history education in schools statewide. Read the Council’s 11 recommendations here.

September 2016 Each and Every Child Newsletter

Welcome to another year, and welcome back to Each and Every Child. Learn about cutting-edge videos for students with significant cognitive disabilities. You can access the videos described in the first story by clicking here. Also read about what one district is doing to substantially increase parental involvement.

Spread the Word! Free Mental Health Resources Available for Iowa Educators Through Kognito

The Iowa Department of Public Health is sharing a free online resource, Kognito, that is available to schools through Sept. 29.

Access a wealth of resources and engage in online training simulations designed to prepare teachers, administrators and school staff:

• To recognize when a student is exhibiting signs of psychological distress, and manage a conversation with the student with the goal of connecting them with the appropriate support.
• To support students who may be struggling due to harassment or exclusion related to sexual identity, sexual orientation or other differences.

For more information, click on this link for an informational pamphlet or visit the Kognito website.

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

Meet the New Superintendent

Steve Robinson, Ed. D.
Administrator, Ankeny Christian Academy

Education: 
B.S. Tennessee Temple University
M. Ed. and Ed. D., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Past Work Experience: 
Soddy Daisy High School History and Speech/Theater teacher and Administrator at East Ridge Middle School, Chattanooga area

What is your vision for the Academy? 
To provide a solid Christian education to the students at Ankeny Christian Academy. To encourage students in the confidence that they can go anywhere from Ankeny!

What are your hobbies or things you like to do in your free time? 
Home projects are my hobby!

2016-17 Heartland AEA Superintendent Directory Available

Click here to download the 2016-17 Heartland AEA Superintendent Directory. A limited supply of these directories were printed and will be distributed at the September HAA meeting. If you would like a hard copy, please contact Julie McCarty, Communications Specialist, at jmccarty@heartlandaea.org.

Parent & Educator Connection is Now Iowa Family & Educator Partnership

The former Parent & Educator Connection has a new name but is still focused on the same mission. 

Iowa Family & Educator Partnership helps build positive partnerships between parents and educators so children with special needs are successful. FEP coordinators are parents of children or young adults with special needs, so they share a unique perspective with the families they serve. They provide support and information to families individually and through parent workshops and support groups. They also facilitate linkages between families, schools and community agencies. 

Contact the FEP coordinator assigned to your school district if you need assistance or information.