Drake ABA Program Accepting Applications for Fall 2022

To help meet the growing need for behavior analysts across Iowa, Drake University launched a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program in 2017. The program is now in its fifth year and is currently recruiting students to join the Fall 2022 cohort.

The ABA program prepares students for careers working with children and adults, including individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Coursework and supervised practicum experiences include opportunities for students to assess and treat severe problem behavior, develop and implement programming to teach communication, social, academic, independent-living, and vocational skills, supervise and train school personnel and caregivers, and collaborate with colleagues and other professionals. Individuals who are employed with ABA providers can complete their practicum hours at their places of employment with Drake support. More information can be found on the program website.

The Iowa Department of Public Health currently has funds available to help support students who are attending school to become BCBAs. Interested individuals can obtain more information regarding grant opportunities by going to the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/BCaBA) Grants website.

Additionally, Drake’s ABA program will be hosting a Virtual Open House on Oct. 20 at 6:00 p.m. This will be a great time to connect with faculty and current Drake students and to ask questions about the opportunities Drake’s ABA program has to offer. Registration for the open house can be found at this invitation link.

Drake will begin reviewing applications in January with interviews scheduled for Feb. 12. Applications will also be accepted throughout the summer of 2022. Any questions, please email Maria Valdovinos.

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

Explore & Implement the Iowa Standards for School Leaders

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are ready to help you and your district administrators in learning about and implementing the Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL 2021). We’ve put together three different options so you can choose the learning that best fits your needs. By partnering as a system, we establish common outcomes, resources, and learning opportunities for school leaders around the new school leader standards.

• Asynchronous Modules
• Micro Learning Opportunities
• Face-to-Face Sessions

Refer to this document for more information or contact Amy Wichman, Director of Instructional Services, for assistance.

Heartland AEA Literacy Newsletter is Now Available

The Heartland AEA Literacy newsletter is now available. Make sure to follow the newsletter and share it with your colleagues!

In this issue:

• Updates from the State around FASTbridge
• Data-based Decision Making
• Putting the Science of Reading into Practice
• Learning Bit by Bit
• Books we recommend
• Professional Learning Opportunities

MTSS Elementary and Secondary MTSS Academies, Coming Soon!

An Academy for Elementary Schools: MTSS
Are you seeking clarity on how to be more efficient and effective in building a system of supports for all students and staff? The Academy is designed to provide leadership teams with the knowledge and resources to improve academic and behavior outcomes for ALL students. You will develop a common understanding of the Five Essential Components of a Multi-tiered System of Supports. In an era of accelerating student learning and providing for student well-being, Iowa schools need a school improvement framework to guide this work. Teams will focus on developing action plans to fully implement MTSS at the building level. Ongoing supports will be provided.

Class dates are Sept. 30 & Oct. 11, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Heartland AEA 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston.

Registration Link

Course #182253 HL

Elementary leadership teams to include administrators, classroom teachers, teacher leaders, school counselors, interventionists, special education teachers.


An Academy for Middle Schools and High Schools: Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports
Are you seeking clarity on how to be more efficient and effective in building a system of supports for all students and staff? The Academy is designed to provide leadership teams with the knowledge and resources to improve academic and behavioral/social-emotional outcomes for ALL students. You will develop a common understanding of the Five Essential Components of a Multi-tiered System of Supports. In an era of accelerating student learning and student well-being, Iowa schools need a school improvement framework to guide this work. Teams will focus on developing action plans to fully implement MTSS at the building level. Ongoing supports will be provided.

Class dates are Oct. 15 & 22, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Heartland AEA, 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston.

Registration Link

Course #181277 HL 

Middle school and high school leadership teams to include administrators, content teachers and teachers who support systems work (TLC, Counselor, At-Risk, ALT).

Universal Protocol for Accommodations in Reading Available to Iowa Schools at No Cost

Iowa’s AEAs and the Department of Education are pleased to announce that we are providing access to uPAR, Universal Protocol for Accommodations in Reading, at no cost to schools. uPAR is an online screening tool that can be administered to groups of students to capture data showing how each student learns best.

Benefits of uPAR:

• Set up a group of students in minutes
• Administer to up to 30 students in one class period
• Evaluations can occur virtually or in the classroom
• Automatic scoring
• Individual and group data can easily be sorted

Getting Started

1. Complete this form to request implementation of uPAR at your school. 
2. Review the uPAR Implementation Guide.

For more information, contact Wendy Robinson, Director of Instructional Services, or a member of your school’s support team for further assistance.

Support for Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities & Iowa Alternate Assessment

The Iowa Department of Education (DE) has sent out information about the 2021-22 Alternate Assessment Requirements and timelines. To be added to the DE emails and Google Site of resources, contact Jennifer Denne. A summary of timelines, some additional resources for teachers, and 2021-22 Professional Development opportunities through Heartland AEA are available here.

Scholarship Alert for Graduating Iowa Seniors: USJCI Foundation Senate Scholarship Applications are Now Being Accepted

Applications are now being taken for the United States Junior Chamber International Senate Foundation Scholarship Program. Graduating high school seniors in Iowa are eligible to apply. Each year $1,000 national grants will be awarded to graduating high school seniors in the United States, who plan to continue their education at accredited post-secondary colleges, universities or vocational schools.

The Iowa JCI program will be honoring three high school seniors with at least a $100 scholarship and send the top two forward to USJCI national judging, where the top 33 national seniors will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 14, 2022. For more information, see this scholarship program flyer and application checklist or contact John Buttolph at (515) 290-0383.

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

Reminder: Heartland Administrators' Association Meeting, Sept. 7

The next regular meeting of the Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) will be held on Sept. 7 from 9 -11:30 a.m. at the Heartland AEA Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive, in Johnston in Rooms 107AB. The meeting will also be available via Zoom at https://heartlandaea.zoom.us/j/708115455.

Agenda Link

This month’s agenda will feature updates from the Iowa Department of Education with Director Dr. Ann Lebo, as well as a session on Learning and Leading for Equity with guest speakers, Lee Teitel, Ed.D., and Circe Stumbo, Ed.M. Dr. Teitel is the founding director and senior consultant for the Reimagining Integration: Diverse and Equitable Schools (RIDES) project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He currently supports teams from more than 50 schools and districts around the country in equity improvement work, and has co-founded a new nonprofit supporting this work, SchoolsTransforming.org. Ms. Stumbo is president of West Wind Education Policy, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Heartland AEA Service Spotlight: Data & Assessment Services for Schools

Heartland AEA assessment consultants help schools and districts assess that instructional practices and curriculum are working for students on the individual-, grade- and school-level. Learn more from these resources:

Assessment page of our website

Download the Data & Assessment Services document for further objectives and examples.
Contact a member of the Heartland AEA team or your regional director when you have questions or need support regarding these service areas.