April Edition of "Each and Every Child"

Click here for the April edition of "Each and Every Child" brought to you by the Iowa Department of Education’s Bureau of Student and Family Support Services. The e-newsletter is designed to enhance communication between parents and teachers. Please forward it to your parents, and use the stories as opportunities for discussion.

Pursuing the Promise: 2012 Statewide Special Education Conference

The Iowa Department of Education is pleased to invite you to the 2012 Statewide Special Education Conference which will be held June 11-13, 2012 at Hy-Vee Hall in Downtown Des Moines. The conference is ideal for teachers, parents, students, administrators and community members who participate in the special education community.

Every child in the Iowa public school system deserves to make a year’s growth in a year’s time, and to have a team of caring individuals working together to prepare that child for life after high school. This conference represents a collective step forward, and a commitment to high standards, evidence-based practices and improved life outcomes for students with disabilities. Speakers include the Iowa Department of Education's Director Jason Glass and state Special Education Director Martin Ikeda.

The conference is free to the public. Preregistration is required by Friday, May 25, 2012, and will be limited to the first 1,200 guests. Register for the event at www.educateiowa.gov.

Information About Heartland AEA Technology Support

Heartland AEA offers a wide range of technology services to school districts. Many of these are highlighted in this summary of a recent visit to one of our schools.

• Our network specialist conducted a network audit and made recommendations about what upgrades were needed (and what costs would be involved) in preparation for an 1:1 project. Also discussed was Heartland’s Internet filtering solution (iBoss), which is available free to our schools.

• Our technology director and the building principal discussed in detail some possible funding streams (such as Title II funds and Microsoft settlement funds) that could be used for technology improvements and professional development.

• Further discussions were held related to possible curricular changes and professional development that Heartland could offer in the area of technology integration. Earlier in the year, our tech consultants were at the school to assist in making the transition to Google apps.

• The school has recently installed interactive white boards in all of their classrooms, but was having difficulty getting their wireless tablets to connect to the boards. Heartland staff were able to successfully troubleshoot this problem.

If your district is interested in what technology services Heartland AEA offers, contact Lance Wilhelm, Director of Technology, at lwilhelm@aea11.k12.ia.us to learn more.