Forum to Provide Essential Information on the Education of Immigrants & Refugees in Iowa

Join us for our second annual Immigration Forum that will help participants understand the educational challenges and rewards facing immigrants, refugees and educators around the state of Iowa. The forum will be held on February 9, 2010, from 2:45-5:15 p.m. at the Polk County Convention Complex, at the conclusion of the 24th annual Iowa Culture and Language Conference (ICLC).

The forum will include a panel of local and national experts who will share facts about immigration and implications for Iowa educators as well as individuals who have immigrated to the United States who will share their first-hand experiences. Click here to view a list of our panelists.

The information shared at the forum is appropriate and timely as Iowa's student population continues to become more diverse. The 2009 Condition of Education Report from the Iowa Department of Education indicated that the student minority population in Iowa was at 15.5% in the 2008-09 school year, which was up from 14.4% in 2008-08 and from 4.5% in 1986.

As may be expected with the increase of Hispanic and other minority enrollments, the number of English Language Learner (ELL) students has also risen in recent years. The 20,750 ELL students in Iowa schools in the 2008-09 school year was more than double the number reported 10 years earlier. In addition, African American students made up 5.8% of the student population last school year.

The increasing diversity of Iowa's families presents many new challenges as well as opportunities for schools and educators. This forum will enable today's teachers, administrators, business leaders and legislators to learn more about immigration and how to best serve students of diverse backgrounds.

For more information, contact Stephaney Jones-Vo at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14680 or Gilmara Mitchell at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14679

Heartland AEA to host School Budget Workshops Feb. 8 & 9

Heartland AEA will host two separate school budget workshops for area school districts on February 8 and 9. The goal of the workshops is to assist schools in completing their school budget in a single work session. Both workshops will be held at the Johnston Regional Education Center at 6500 Corporate Drive and will go from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The registration fee is $120 per person, which includes lunch.

The facilitator will be William (Bill) J. Garner, former chief administrator of AEA 8. Bill has been conducting workshops in this area for several years. Participants will be using the Department of Management’s program during the workshops. It is encouraged that both the superintendent and business manager/board secretary attends the workshop

To register, go to the Heartland Professional Development catalog on our home page or click here. Copy the appropriate activity number for the day in which you would like to attend and paste it into the search box on the registration page in the browser. If you are interested, register today because seats are going fast!

February 8, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Activity Number: AD00619211100
Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive

February 9, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Activity Number: AD006192111002
Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive

If you have questions, please call the Professional Development Office at 270-0405 ext. 14348.

Final HEART Training Sessions for 2009-2010

There are two more scheduled training sessions for using the HEART database for this school year. All training sessions will take place in the Computer Lab of the Johnston Regional Education Center located at 6500 Corporate Drive. If you are interested, you may register for either one or both sessions. To register, go to the Heartland Professional Development catalog on our home page or click on the link below. Copy the appropriate activity number and paste it into the search box on the registration page in the browser.

https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/YYYYYYYYYYYYYYSRCH

HEART Administrator Overview class
This class is intended for school leaders new to HEART and those who want a refresher. In this training we will cover the use of HEART, security setup and cleanup, as well as a general Q&A. This class is intended for building/district leaders who will be responsible for local implementation of HEART. Among others, this may include superintendents, principals, technology and/or curriculum coordinators, but may also include building/district clerical personnel who provide major support for HEART.

February 1, 2010, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111005
Computer Lab, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive

April 8th, 2010, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Activity Number: AS003792111006
Computer Lab, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive

HEART Behavior Module class
This training will cover the setup and operation of the behavior module as well as some discussion of its use in a building/district setting. We recommend the behavior training be attended by at least one administrator and another person who will assist with technical support (primarily building data files for import). We also encourage the school to invite members of the AEA team such as the School Psychologist and/or School Social Worker, as they may be able to assist in the implementation of the behavior module in your building/district.

February 1, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m
Activity Number: AS003692111005
Computer Lab, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive

April 8, 2010, 1:00-4:00 p.m
Activity Number: AS003692111006
Computer Lab, Johnston Regional Education Center, 6500 Corporate Drive

Questions can be directed to Connor Hood at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14506 or chood@aea11.k12.ia.us.