Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Training Required for ELPA21 Test Administrators

In order to be certified to administer ELPA21, Test Administrators must complete the 2-part module, General Test Administration Guidelines and Accessibility and Accommodations. This is displayed as one training, but with two parts and two certificates of completion. The training can be accessed at http://training.aeapdonline.org.

Each part contains a short quiz and you will need to pass each quiz in order to be certified to administer ELPA21. The Iowa Department of Education is required to monitor compliance relative to the training according to federal regulations and the AEA PD Online system provides detailed reports for each training completer.

For more information, contact Dr. Jobi B. Lawrence, Director, Title III, Iowa Department of Education or Colleen Anderson, Assessment Consultant, Iowa Department of Education.

ELPA21 Support Session to Be Held Feb. 11

To be able to answer your questions accurately during the first year of ELPA21 testing and to allow districts to hear consistent information, Heartland AEA is hosting a face-to-face support meeting with Colleen Anderson from the Iowa Department of Education for district leaders and others regarding the ELPA21. Colleen is heading up the ELPA21 at the Department of Education and has the most up-to-date and accurate information. Colleen has requested that participants browse the the below documents as well as the ELPA21 portal site prior to the meeting.

ELPA21 Directions for Administration
ELPA21 Test Coordinator's Manual  
ELPA21 Test Information & Distribution Engine User Guide

Feb. 11
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Johnston Regional Education Center
Conference Room 152A 

Go to our Professional Development Catalog to register.

Feb. 2016 BoEE Newsletter

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners Feb. 2016 newsletter includes topics such as Conditional Licensure, Tips for Licensure Applications and Case Summaries.

STEM Scale-Up Program Application Rapidly Approaching

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is now taking applications for the 2016-17 STEM Scale-up Programs. Online applications are due March 1 for 11 programs, some of which are new this year. Heartland AEA staff are available to partner with you to help determine which of these programs will meet the needs of your district.

The most current information and the application can be found online using these links:


For more information or support, contact your Heartland AEA team or Paul Gibbins, North Central Regional STEM Manager, Iowa State University at (515) 294-0645, Twitter @NC_Iowa_STE, Facebook North Central Iowa STEM Region.

Feb. 2016 School Leader Update





The Feb. 2016 issue of School Leader Update is available from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, read about Science Standards, Early Literacy Guide and Summer Meals.