Friday, December 6, 2024

Great News: Learning Ally Continues at No Cost Through June 2025!


We’re excited to announce that Learning Ally will remain available at no cost to schools through June 2025, providing critical support for struggling readers.

Already Using Learning Ally?
If your district used Learning Ally last year, you’re encouraged to continue utilizing this resource with eligible students.

Need a Refresher?
If your district used Learning Ally before but needs a refresher, contact Lynette Johnson at ljohnson@learningally.org to update your district records and provide webinars or training.

New to Learning Ally?
If your district hasn’t used Learning Ally yet, Lynette can guide you through the rostering process and discuss training opportunities.

What Does Learning Ally Offer?
Learning Ally provides more than 80,000 human-narrated audiobooks and textbooks aligned with your curriculum. Designed to bridge the gap to grade-level reading, its features include:
  • Voice-to-Text: Supports word recognition by highlighting words as they’re narrated.
  • In-App Dictionary: Allows students to define unfamiliar words while reading seamlessly.
  • Annotation: Enables students to highlight, save, bookmark, and reference specific text.
  • Customization: Offers adjustable settings to support diverse learning needs.
These tools help students build vocabulary, complete assignments, and actively participate in group projects.

Learn More:
Take advantage of this incredible resource to support your struggling readers today!

Checking Out the Value: Heartland AEA Library's First Quarter Summary


In response to HF2612, we are providing a first quarter summary of the value of the materials checked out from the Heartland AEA library from Sept.-Nov. 2024.*

While PK-7 educators are our largest users, middle and high school teachers also benefit from specialized resources like large-print books, high-interest/low-vocabulary texts, picture books with built-in digital audio, and multilingual materials.

Examples of teacher requests fulfilled this quarter:
  • Middle Ages, feudal system, kings and queens
    • 30 books | Reading level: 2–4 | Grade: 4
  • Fables and pourquoi tales (including Aesop & Anansi)
    • 25–30 books | Reading level: K–3 | Grade: 1
  • Endangered animals (fiction & nonfiction)
    • 25–30 books | Reading level: K–6 | Grade: 9–12
  • Books about feelings and emotions
    • 25 books | Reading level: K–2 | Grade: special education
  • Ecosystems and renewable/nonrenewable resources
    • 30 books | Reading level: 3–5 | Grade: 5
  • Arabic language books for a family to build literacy at home
    • 5–10 books
  • Decodable readers—variety of series
    • 30 books | Reading
Looking Ahead: Service-for-Fee Model Starts July 2025
As we transition to a service-for-fee model next year, we hope this information highlights the value and impact of Heartland AEA’s library materials and services. We anticipate a subscription model will be developed with each district. Just like Spotify where you can listen as much as you want, this model would allow districts to read as much as they want.

*Districts and nonpublic schools are listed by student population: PK-12 and PK-7.

Superintendent and Education Leaders Update Nov/Dec. 2024


The Nov./Dec. 2024 Superintendent and Education Leaders Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.

Friday, November 15, 2024

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

 

Hear from the DE Director: HAA Meeting Dec. 3

The next HAA meeting will be held on Dec. 3 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. The agenda features updates from the Iowa Department of Education’s Executive Director McKenzie Snow. This will be an in-person meeting with no zoom option.

Check Out Our Digital Learning Newsletter!

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Digital Learning Newsletter:
  • Technology we are thankful for!
  • Day of AI - December
  • Computer Science Education Week
  • DE Computer Science Updates
  • Library Tool of the Month

November Library & Digital Resources Newsletter is Now Available

In this issue of the Heartland AEA Library & Digital Resources newsletter:
  • Teacher Librarian Virtual Workshop Recordings
  • Special Pricing for Capstone Ebooks
  • TeachingBooks Sept./Oct.
  • Have You Explored New American History?
  • October Highlights: Britannica Engagements
  • New Learn 360 Titles
  • New: Teach Britannica
  • Professional Reading

Internationally Renowned Education Consultant Katie Novak Coming to Iowa in January

Two days of transformative learning!

Session 1 (Jan. 22): Apply UDL in your classroom and engage all learners.

Session 2 (Jan. 23): Leaders, dive deep into integrating UDL with MTSS to drive meaningful change.

Led by Katie Novak, an expert in inclusive practices, UDL and MTSS, this workshop will give you actionable strategies for success! Read more here.

Dates: Jan. 22-23, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Grant Wood AEA, Cedar Rapids
Register now and take your skills to the next level! Register here

Enhancing School Counseling Programs for Impact Workshop, Begins Dec. 4

Join us for a hands-on course designed to help school counselors elevate their programs with data-driven insights, measurable goals and actionable strategies. Discover best practices for aligning with national standards, improving student outcomes and gaining support from your school community. Leave with a customized plan ready to make an immediate impact!

Custom Plans
Each district will leave with a customized program overview and action plan.

Embedded Support
There will be time for learning and application built into the course.

Dates & Times
Dec. 4, 2024, Feb. 6 & April 25, 2025
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location
Heartland AEA Regional Education Center
6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA

Registration
Registration link
It is strongly encouraged that teams bring a curriculum lead or administrator with them.
1 license renewal or graduate credit available

Questions?
Sue Schirmer, School Counseling Consultant, Heartland AEA
sschirmer@heartlandaea.org | (515) 383-5006

Superintendent and Education Leaders Update Sept. 2024


The Oct. 2024 Superintendent and Education Leaders Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

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