Make Sure You Are in Compliance With These Required Trainings for Iowa Educators and District Staff

While school districts in Iowa can set their own staff training requirements, there are some important statewide mandated trainings that need to be included in district plans. Online trainings from AEA Learning Online are easy to deliver and monitor and are an efficient use of teacher time, as they can be flexibly taken. In addition, AEA Learning Online has over 100 other professional development trainings in areas as diverse as classroom management, technology integration, instructional strategies and more! If you have questions about how your district can make better use of trainings and whether it is in compliance with various mandates, contact AEA Learning Online. By not participating in mandatory trainings, your district could face significant financial penalties and accreditation issues.

If You’re Looking for IPI Sessions, We Have Them!

Instructional Practices Inventory Level 1 Workshop
The IPI workshop will begin with an overview of the IPI categories and the protocols for data collection. Detailed practice in the recognition of the IPI categories and consistent application of the data collection protocols enable each participant to develop both validity and reliability in the process. The skill development begins with written scenarios to develop basic understanding of the protocols for data collection and the instructional activities that fit each category. The workshop then transitions to a local school to make observations in classroom settings. All observations are discussed with peers and with the trainer.

Date: Oct. 2, 2018
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Saydel Community School District, 5740 NE 14th Street, Des Moines
Register at this link

Instructional Practices Inventory Technology Workshop
During the workshop, participants will develop the skills to document student engagement through the use of technology and learn how to use the profiles to engage faculty in collaborative learning conversations about engagement, instructional change, technology integration and school-wide instructional goals.

Date: Oct. 4, 2018
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: To be announced
Register at this link

Updated Statewide AEA Special Education Procedures Manual Now Available

Linked in this article are the Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual (July 1, 2018 with July 23, 2018 corrections) and Release Notes (July 1, 2018 with July 23, 2018 corrections).

These are posted on the Iowa IDEA website as well as on the Heartland AEA website under Special Education Services > Guidance Documents. They are currently posted on the front page of the IDEA website, in addition to their permanent location under the IEP drop down menu > Statewide Special Education Procedures > Manual.

Nominate Your Favorite Teacher for the 2019 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award

Do you know a STEM teacher that goes above and beyond to engage their students both in and out of the classroom? Nominations are now open for the 2019 I.O.W.A. STEM Teacher Award sponsored by Kemin Industries.

The fifth-year of this award, offered by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, celebrates PreK-12 teachers whose leadership and dedication to STEM in Iowa increases students’ interest and awareness in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. One teacher from each of the six STEM regions will receive $1,500 for personal use, along with an additional $1,500 to be used in their classroom.

Deadline for nominations is Oct. 9, and recipients will be announced in January 2019.

The nomination process is simple and open to everyone, including fellow teachers, school administrators, students and parents. Visit www.stemaward.fluidreview.com to submit a nomination and learn more.

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

CHANGE IN LOCATION for Sept. 4 HAA Meeting

The Sept. 4 HAA meeting will be held at Heartland AEA in Johnston. This is a change from previous communications.

HAA Meeting - Sept. 4 at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, Rooms 107A/B
Guest Speaker: Ryan Wise, Director, Iowa Department of Education
Time: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Iowa’s AEAs: Did you know we did all that?

We are focused every day to ensure all students have lifelong access to high-quality educational opportunities and resources. We also provide tools for educators to grow professionally and reach students. Learn more about what AEAs do every day! 

Are Your School Counselors Signed up for Counselor Academy?

Counselor Academy: Refining and Revising Your School Counseling Program is a four-day academy designed for teams of new and veteran counselors to come together to review and revise the K-12 school counseling program at their district. The format of the academy follows the requirements from Iowa Code regarding school counseling programs as well as the American School Counselor Association's national model. Teams of counselors are encouraged to attend with at least one administrator. For more information, contact Sue Schirmer, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org.

Counselor Academy: Refining and Revising Your School Counseling Program
Dates: Sept 10, Dec 11, 2018, Feb 11 & Apr 29, 2019
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston
Registration: Register at this link

Share These Technology Integration Learning Sessions With Your Staff

Heartland AEA provides services for districts that are interested in integrating technology in all areas of instruction as aligned with the 21st century skills sets of the Iowa Core. This framework is designed to engage and empower teachers and administrators in technology planning and training, networking, integration with curriculum and instruction and distance learning. District sharing, teacher modeling, software resources, special topics and guest experts are part of this collaboration.

Technology Integration and Collaboration (TIC) sessions begin in September!
Educators present strategies to their peers on how they have successfully integrated tech in the classroom. Check out our TIC Google Site for the session schedule and focus areas, agendas, presenter resources and registration links. Attend in person in our Johnston Regional Education Center or by Zoom! Stay for the afternoon collaboration session with other educators for a deeper dive on ways to implement ideas learned in the morning sessions.

Want to present? We're looking for presenters! Submit a proposal. Presenters receive substitute and mileage reimbursement.

For questions, contact your Heartland AEA Instructional Technology Consultant.

Updated Statewide AEA Special Education Procedures Manual Now Available

Linked in this article are the Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual (July 1, 2018 with July 23, 2018 corrections) and Release Notes (July 1, 2018 with July 23, 2018 corrections).

These are posted on the Iowa IDEA website as well as on the Heartland AEA website under Special Education Services > Guidance Documents. They are currently posted on the front page of the IDEA website, in addition to their permanent location under the IEP drop down menu > Statewide Special Education Procedures > Manual.

First Installment of ESSA Guidance for 2018-19 from the DE

The Iowa Department of Education guidance this school year (2018-2019) will be provided in a number of installments, timed to align with actions that districts will be completing throughout the year (e.g., consolidated applications, preparation for implementing Targeted and Comprehensive Supports, etc.). The Department will use a consistent template for their guidance, which will include a short executive summary as well as a more extended document that will dive into detail. Each ESSA guidance document will be emailed directly to you from David Tilly, Deputy Director and Administrator at the Iowa Department of Education, and can also be found on the Department’s website at Consolidated ESSA Title Guidance.

The attached guidance provides a summary of the new Title IVA grant program. Approximately $9M will be disbursed this fall to public districts on a formula basis. Individual district allocations will be posted on the Department’s website, and will also be available in the Consolidated Application in September. Additional detail on the purpose of these dollars and spending parameters are contained in the attached guidance documents.