Public Input Sought for State’s No Child Left Behind Waiver Request

The Iowa Department of Education will give Iowans a chance to weigh in on a plan to request a waiver from requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act during a statewide series of public meetings from January 31 to February 9.

Department leaders will visit all nine Area Education Agencies in Iowa. Click here for a complete schedule of meeting dates, times and locations. (Heartland AEA information is highlighted.) The Department will visit Heartland AEA on Tuesday, February 7.

The Department will present details about Iowa’s waiver request and plans to develop a new accountability system that puts student achievement first but also focuses on student growth and assessments that align with the Iowa Core standards.

In September, the U.S. Department of Education invited states to apply for flexibility from specific requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive state-developed plans.

Iowa’s application will be submitted by February 21.

States must address the following principles in their waiver applications: College and career-ready expectations for all students; state-developed systems for differentiated recognition, accountability and support; and support for effective instruction and leadership, including new guidelines for local teacher and principal evaluation and support systems.

In a new video, Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass addresses the purpose of Iowa’s waiver request.

Iowans who are unable to attend the public meetings can submit comments in writing to wilma.gajdel@iowa.gov until 4:00 p.m. on February 1.

For more information, go to www.educateiowa.gov.

Last Chance to Save Big on Microsoft Products!

For several years the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC), in partnership with Microsoft and JourneyEd, has provided teachers, students, faculty and staff with discounts on Microsoft Office and Windows software for home use. (Example: Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010, retail $499, IEC price $89.95). These discounts have been significantly less than what you’d find in retail stores.

The IEC has recently been notified that Microsoft will be discontinuing this program effective March 2012.

If you anticipate needing Microsoft software for your home/personal computer, order today to insure you get the best price possible. Orders can be placed online by going to www.JourneyEd.com/Select.

Please inform teachers, students, faculty and staff that they have a limited time to take advantage of these prices. Note: All students can request this pricing, so parents of kindergartners could even order at these prices.

JourneyEd will continue to provide education pricing on many other software titles and computer products; however, we do not anticipate that pricing on Microsoft products will ever be this low again.

For more information, contact:

Marcy Rodriguez
Academic Superstore
marodriguez@digitalriver.com
(866) 559-0302

Amy Bohn
JourneyEd.com
abohn@digitalriver.com
(800) 876-3507 ext 37426

Workshop Promotes Employment Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Heartland’s Parent & Educator Connection will host a Transition Times Workshop on Thursday, January 26 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. that will provide information about post-high school employment opportunities for students with disabilities. Families and educators of 7-12th grade students on IEPs and students age 14 and older are invited to attend. Please pass on the attached flyer to students, families and teachers who may be interested in attending.

Originating Site: Heartland AEA 11 Johnston Office (6500 Corporate Drive)
Satellite Sites: Ames High School ICN Room and Panorama High School ICN Room