Participation Guidelines for Iowa’s Alternate Assessment Now Available

Iowa’s Participation Guidelines for determining which students should be taking Iowa’s Alternate Assessment are now available. This document will help IEP teams make determinations for the 2014-2015 school year. Students are no longer allowed to split between Assessment tests; they either need to take all of their assessments through Alternate Assessment or all through the Iowa Assessments.

IEC Update: Chromebooks are Now Available!

The Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC), in partnership with Midwest Computer Products and MNJ Technologies, is pleased to announce that Chromebooks have now been added to the spring line item bid!

The Acer C720 11.6” model is available from Midwest Computer Products for $271.17. The HP Chromebook 14” model is available from MNJ Technologies for $316.83. Both models include the Google management license at no additional cost. Extras such as additional memory and ‘white glove service’ plans are also available at reduced rates.

Ordering information and complete details are available in this flyer, or you may contact Robert Ogan, IEC Technology Coordinator, at rogan@iec-ia.org.

Information Regarding Educational Services Available for Children From Central America Who Have Recently Crossed the U.S./Mexico Border

From the U.S. Department of Education’s Heartland Communications and Outreach Team 

We have received inquiries regarding the educational services available for the children from Central America who have recently crossed the U.S. - Mexico border. 

The U.S. Department of Education is in close communication with the other agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, leading the federal response to the humanitarian situation on the border and have created the fact sheet available at www.ed.gov/unaccompaniedchildren. The fact sheet provides information to help education leaders better understand the responsibilities of States and local educational agencies (LEAs) in connection with such students, and the existing resources available to help educate all immigrant students. The third page also contains frequently asked questions. 

The internal team Secretary Duncan has tasked with tracking the inquiries being received from the field will continue to monitor this situation as it evolves and the new school year approaches.