Spring Title I Meeting Coming in May

The Iowa Department of Education will be holding its annual Spring Title I meeting in AEA 11 on May 14 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at the Johnston AEA Office. The Activity Number for registration is RE011792111001. You can register online by clicking here.

Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Application Update

From Penny Milburn, Early Childhood Consultant, Iowa Department of Education

Kevin Fangman, acting director of the Iowa Department of Education, requested that I clarify the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Application. Some districts may believe they do not have to apply for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program but will be able to count their four-year-old children in EASEIR for the October 2011 count. This is not the case under the current law. Only those districts that have applied and are approved will generate the preschool funding formula in future October counts.

The DE encourages all districts to apply this year, the final year. It is important for Iowa’s four-year olds to have access to quality preschool.

Crisis Planning Project at Heartland AEA

Crafting a crisis action plan in the midst of a crisis is not successful. Will your district be ready when disaster strikes? The Crisis Planning Project at Heartland AEA is an opportunity for schools to review their current plans with an eye on refinement and inclusion of current issues and best practice. Click here for information about this 2010-11 professional development opportunity.