Friday, August 17, 2018

Share These Technology Integration Learning Sessions With Your Staff

Heartland AEA provides services for districts that are interested in integrating technology in all areas of instruction as aligned with the 21st century skills sets of the Iowa Core. This framework is designed to engage and empower teachers and administrators in technology planning and training, networking, integration with curriculum and instruction and distance learning. District sharing, teacher modeling, software resources, special topics and guest experts are part of this collaboration.

Technology Integration and Collaboration (TIC) sessions begin in September!
Educators present strategies to their peers on how they have successfully integrated tech in the classroom. Check out our TIC Google Site for the session schedule and focus areas, agendas, presenter resources and registration links. Attend in person in our Johnston Regional Education Center or by Zoom! Stay for the afternoon collaboration session with other educators for a deeper dive on ways to implement ideas learned in the morning sessions.

Want to present? We're looking for presenters! Submit a proposal. Presenters receive substitute and mileage reimbursement.

For questions, contact your Heartland AEA Instructional Technology Consultant.

Updated Statewide AEA Special Education Procedures Manual Now Available

Linked in this article are the Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual (July 1, 2018 with July 23, 2018 corrections) and Release Notes (July 1, 2018 with July 23, 2018 corrections).

These are posted on the Iowa IDEA website as well as on the Heartland AEA website under Special Education Services > Guidance Documents. They 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.

First Installment of ESSA Guidance for 2018-19 from the DE

The Iowa Department of Education guidance this school year (2018-2019) will be provided in a number of installments, timed to align with actions that districts will be completing throughout the year (e.g., consolidated applications, preparation for implementing Targeted and Comprehensive Supports, etc.). The Department will use a consistent template for their guidance, which will include a short executive summary as well as a more extended document that will dive into detail. Each ESSA guidance document will be emailed directly to you from David Tilly, Deputy Director and Administrator at the Iowa Department of Education, and can also be found on the Department’s website at Consolidated ESSA Title Guidance.

The attached guidance provides a summary of the new Title IVA grant program. Approximately $9M will be disbursed this fall to public districts on a formula basis. Individual district allocations will be posted on the Department’s website, and will also be available in the Consolidated Application in September. Additional detail on the purpose of these dollars and spending parameters are contained in the attached guidance documents.