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 is an in-depth school change model of professional learning and development. It’s designed for school-based 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.
Visible Learning Institute - Save the Dates
- Oct. 4, 2016 -- Learning strand designed to provide area school leadership teams an opportunity to review and discuss effective instructional practices that impact student achievement and learning.
- Nov. 1, 2016 --Review of five phases of the Deep Equity process 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.
The Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual (Aug. 1, 2016), Release Notes (Aug. 1, 2016 version), Parental Rights Summary (July 2015 version), Procedural Safeguards Manuals for Parents (Translations), Educational Evaluation Reports (Translations) and IEP Forms (Translations) are now posted on the Iowa IDEA website. These documents 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.
Classroom Implementation Profile (CIP) Training
Districts and buildings looking for a way to gather data that measures the impact of Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW) professional development on teacher instruction and student learning may find the CIP as an easy-to-use tool.
Date: Sept. 20, 2016
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Cherokee, IA
Authentic Intellectual Work: Focus on Student Work
During this cohort, participants will study the AIW standards for student work: construction of knowledge, conceptual understanding, and elaborated communication.
Dates: Sept. 27, Oct. 27 and Nov. 21
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Sioux City, IA
Think of a counseling colleague… someone with whom you work, from whom you find support, who goes that extra mile to support students, who makes a true difference and is a credit to the school counseling profession. Nominations are being accepted for an Iowa School Counselor of the Year Award. Nominating is easy! Complete the nomination form here by Sept. 30. Nominees must be a member of ISCA as of Sept. 15, 2016.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners Aug. 2016 BoEE Newsletter welcomes Dr. Ann Lebo of Grundy Center as the new Executive Director of the Board and includes topics such as the elimination of printed licenses, substitute teachers and conditional licensure.
The Iowa Department of Education has developed a new webpage to help teachers, school administrators and parents prepare for a transition to new statewide assessments in English language arts and mathematics. The site will be an important source of information during this transition and will be updated regularly with information and resources. Currently, you’ll find overview information about why Iowa is switching to a new state assessment, answers to common questions, links to practice tests and a timeline for professional learning. The Department is also offering talking points that you may find helpful if questions arise within your communities.
Inside this issue, Director Ryan Wise talks about the particularly busy summer we have had at the Iowa Department of Education. And Attorney Nicole Proesch brings you some important reminders, particularly apropos to the beginning of the school year.
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 the gap in achievement
- Increase annual graduation rates
- Increase gateways to post-secondary success
It is no secret that principals play a critical role in the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards. But many administrators still need tools and resources to help them envision the full range of supports that students and teachers need.
We are pleased to share with you the "NGSS Overview for Principals." This overview is designed for school leaders and was developed in consultation with states, districts and principals.
The resource underscores the principal's crucial role in promoting quality science education and offers practical strategies that can be incorporated into existing school plans. It highlights key NGSS instructional and conceptual shifts and contains links to additional implementation information, based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education.
As the school year winds down, so does our weekly Administrator Connection. Today is our last planned weekly update until August. We’ll communicate any important information via email during the summer.
If you’re leaving your district, contact the Heartland AEA Communications Department at comms@heartlandaea.org with your successor's name and email address (if known). We won't take your email address out of our email distribution list until after July 1.
Have a very enjoyable summer!
Digital citizenship is a fundamental aspect of being a student, teacher and administrator in PK-12 schools. To that end, Heartland AEA is hosting a Digital Citizenship Day on Sept. 13. Breakout sessions throughout the day will provide attendees with ideas, information, resources and inspiration to help guide their schools through the many facets of digital citizenship. Ryan Wise, director of the Iowa Department of Education, will provide opening remarks.
Information will be provided in the next month about the tentative schedule and how to register for this free event. In the meantime, save the date and pass the information on to your colleagues.
