Requirements:
- Iowa Residency
- BA degree
- Elementary Certification in Iowa
- Attend classes online
- Access to an on-site Mentor
- Job-embedded class assignments
Friday, September 25, 2009
University of Iowa Offers Online Master's Credit Course
The University of Iowa has an online Master of Arts in Special Education Instructional Strategist I Mild and Moderate (K-6) – Level 1 & 2 program available for licensed Iowa teachers.
Requirements:
Requirements:
Friday, September 18, 2009
Heartland AEA Plans for Regional Education Centers & School Co-location
You may have heard about Heartland’s plans for Regional Education Centers (RECs) and co-location opportunities from your Heartland partnership director, so we’d like to provide you with some updated information on these important facility plans.
The Agency is in the process of implementing an REC model to improve service delivery to our school districts and to utilize our financial resources more effectively. RECs support the Agency’s transformation to provide services in the regions, close to those served by Heartland, as well as to increase the proportion of agency space dedicated to teaching and learning. Each regional center will reflect the unique needs and characteristics of the area served. In addition, the Agency is exploring co-location opportunities within schools to increase efficiencies relating to staff service delivery.
Phase I
During the 2007-2008 school year, the Heartland Board of Directors approved the Agency’s plan for five RECs (Johnston, Adel, Newton, Ames and the West side of the Agency).
The Phase I REC Planning Committee, which represented multiple stakeholders, developed a recommendation for the design and programming of all regional education centers. This effort was lead by Sheila King and Sharon Kurns. The work of the group considered current and future needs, the impact of agency initiatives, feedback from district staff, technology, options for partnerships, flexible spaces and file storage. It was noted that all RECs should have professional development classroom space, offices, storage space and professional resources/materials.
Phase II
On March 1, 2009, the REC committee (RECC) provided its Phase I report with recommendations to the Executive Council. The report cited data sources, general recommendations, location-specific recommendations and proposed timelines. Executive Council approved the Phase I report, which serves as the source document for Phase II.
From April-August 2009, various REC committees/subcommittees and co-location subcommittees were formed to assess and analyze opportunities in Newton, Adel, Knoxville and Ankeny. Based on feedback from these subcommittees, revision of the original Phase II REC commissioning document was necessary to provide further guidance, especially regarding co-location opportunities. Phase II (revised) encompasses FY 2009-2010 planning and implementation of REC and co-location opportunities.
The revised REC and co-location timeline for FY 2009-2010 is the following:
· Newton REC – completion NLT (no later than) July 31, 2010
· Adel REC – prioritization moved to FY 2010-2011
· Johnston REC – completion NLT December 31, 2010
· Knoxville co-location – NLT June 30, 2010
· Ankeny co-location – NLT June 30, 2010
Implementation of the REC model and co-location concept is a complex task because of systemic ramifications. Facility re-location and/or reconfiguration impact financial and staffing resources, service delivery and distribution systems.
Co-location opportunities will be important as Heartland moves forward with its goal to provide services closer to our districts and schools. As we move forward with these opportunities, your assistance in identifying potential locations and your input and suggestions will be appreciated. Next steps will be to continue regular updates to stakeholders, implement the revised timeline and plan for Phase III.
If you have any questions or comments about these plans, please contact Steve Prall, Heartland AEA Chief of Operations, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14423 or at sprall@aea11.k12.ia.us.
The Agency is in the process of implementing an REC model to improve service delivery to our school districts and to utilize our financial resources more effectively. RECs support the Agency’s transformation to provide services in the regions, close to those served by Heartland, as well as to increase the proportion of agency space dedicated to teaching and learning. Each regional center will reflect the unique needs and characteristics of the area served. In addition, the Agency is exploring co-location opportunities within schools to increase efficiencies relating to staff service delivery.
Phase I
During the 2007-2008 school year, the Heartland Board of Directors approved the Agency’s plan for five RECs (Johnston, Adel, Newton, Ames and the West side of the Agency).
The Phase I REC Planning Committee, which represented multiple stakeholders, developed a recommendation for the design and programming of all regional education centers. This effort was lead by Sheila King and Sharon Kurns. The work of the group considered current and future needs, the impact of agency initiatives, feedback from district staff, technology, options for partnerships, flexible spaces and file storage. It was noted that all RECs should have professional development classroom space, offices, storage space and professional resources/materials.
Phase II
On March 1, 2009, the REC committee (RECC) provided its Phase I report with recommendations to the Executive Council. The report cited data sources, general recommendations, location-specific recommendations and proposed timelines. Executive Council approved the Phase I report, which serves as the source document for Phase II.
From April-August 2009, various REC committees/subcommittees and co-location subcommittees were formed to assess and analyze opportunities in Newton, Adel, Knoxville and Ankeny. Based on feedback from these subcommittees, revision of the original Phase II REC commissioning document was necessary to provide further guidance, especially regarding co-location opportunities. Phase II (revised) encompasses FY 2009-2010 planning and implementation of REC and co-location opportunities.
The revised REC and co-location timeline for FY 2009-2010 is the following:
· Newton REC – completion NLT (no later than) July 31, 2010
· Adel REC – prioritization moved to FY 2010-2011
· Johnston REC – completion NLT December 31, 2010
· Knoxville co-location – NLT June 30, 2010
· Ankeny co-location – NLT June 30, 2010
Implementation of the REC model and co-location concept is a complex task because of systemic ramifications. Facility re-location and/or reconfiguration impact financial and staffing resources, service delivery and distribution systems.
Co-location opportunities will be important as Heartland moves forward with its goal to provide services closer to our districts and schools. As we move forward with these opportunities, your assistance in identifying potential locations and your input and suggestions will be appreciated. Next steps will be to continue regular updates to stakeholders, implement the revised timeline and plan for Phase III.
If you have any questions or comments about these plans, please contact Steve Prall, Heartland AEA Chief of Operations, at (800) 255-0405 ext. 14423 or at sprall@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Guidance from the DE on Collaborative and Consultative Models for Students in Special Education
We recently received information from Norma Lynch at the Department of Education that will be of interest to all schools, especially those anticipating site visits in the near future. Click here for a document that contains a description of inappropriate implementation of the collaborative and consultative teaching models for special education and general education teachers. These models will receive increased scrutiny during school improvement visits in 2009-10 in order to assess implementation of highly-qualified teacher legislation. The attached document provides a brief description of the models (with key characteristics), a list of inappropriate examples of implementation and some examples of answers to the focused school improvement questions that would be a signal to do more investigation. Please contact your Partnership Director if you have any further questions.
Iowa Core Curriculum Update: Completing the District/School Self-Study
During Leadership Training last school year, district/school teams received the Iowa Core Curriculum self-studies for outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5. Outcome 4 will be available at the upcoming October Leadership Training Sessions. Outcome 6 will be available at a later date.
At Leadership Training, teams learned a process to complete the self-studies that allows for input from all involved. Each team determined their current status on each action for each of the outcomes. That information was transferred to a consensus rating form that will assist teams when it is time to write an implementation plan. A copy of each consensus rating form, when completed, should be sent to Linda Biermann Hoobin at the Johnston Office of Heartland or can be sent electronically to Linda at lhoobin@aea11.1k2.ia.us.
Currently available self-studies can be found on the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Web page located under the heading “Iowa Core Curriculum Resources by Topic”, then self-study and implementation planning.
There is still time to register for Iowa Core Curriculum Leadership Training Year Two, Day One. The October 5th session at Zion Lutheran Church is closed, but all others have space available. Find registration information on the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Web page.
Questions can be directed to Linda Biermann Hoobin, Teaching and Learning Consultant for the Iowa Core Curriculum at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14327 or at the email mentioned above.
At Leadership Training, teams learned a process to complete the self-studies that allows for input from all involved. Each team determined their current status on each action for each of the outcomes. That information was transferred to a consensus rating form that will assist teams when it is time to write an implementation plan. A copy of each consensus rating form, when completed, should be sent to Linda Biermann Hoobin at the Johnston Office of Heartland or can be sent electronically to Linda at lhoobin@aea11.1k2.ia.us.
Currently available self-studies can be found on the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Web page located under the heading “Iowa Core Curriculum Resources by Topic”, then self-study and implementation planning.
There is still time to register for Iowa Core Curriculum Leadership Training Year Two, Day One. The October 5th session at Zion Lutheran Church is closed, but all others have space available. Find registration information on the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Web page.
Questions can be directed to Linda Biermann Hoobin, Teaching and Learning Consultant for the Iowa Core Curriculum at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14327 or at the email mentioned above.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Student Invitation to the United States Senate Youth Program
The state of Iowa has accepted an invitation to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. The program is designed to give young Americans a working knowledge of American political life.
Each year, two Iowa students have the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, D.C. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation pays all expenses. In addition, the two Iowa high school representatives each receive a $5,000 scholarship, subject to scholarship conditions and requirements. The selection of the two Iowa high school representatives is based solely on the outstanding ability and demonstrated leadership qualities of elected junior or senior high school student officers for the 2009-10 school year.
Each high school may nominate one student. Click here for the Iowa Department of Education's letter to Iowa's superintendents and principals about the USSYP Program. Student application materials are attached here or may be downloaded from the DE's Web site at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=939&Itemid=1225.
The completed applications must be submitted to Kim Thuente at Heartland AEA 11 by September 25, 2009. Nominees selected from the applicants will be required to take a qualifying examination on October 7th at 1:30 p.m. in the Johnston AEA Computer Lab. The qualifying examination consists of a 45-minute multiple choice, matching and T/F test with questions about government and the U.S. Constitution. The top five scoring students will then complete a 45-minute essay exam.
The essays and application materials from the top five scoring students will be submitted to the DE by October 30th for selection of the two Iowa delegates and alternates.
If you have questions please contact Kimberly (Kim) Thuente at (515) 270-0405 or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14372.
Each year, two Iowa students have the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, D.C. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation pays all expenses. In addition, the two Iowa high school representatives each receive a $5,000 scholarship, subject to scholarship conditions and requirements. The selection of the two Iowa high school representatives is based solely on the outstanding ability and demonstrated leadership qualities of elected junior or senior high school student officers for the 2009-10 school year.
Each high school may nominate one student. Click here for the Iowa Department of Education's letter to Iowa's superintendents and principals about the USSYP Program. Student application materials are attached here or may be downloaded from the DE's Web site at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=939&Itemid=1225.
The completed applications must be submitted to Kim Thuente at Heartland AEA 11 by September 25, 2009. Nominees selected from the applicants will be required to take a qualifying examination on October 7th at 1:30 p.m. in the Johnston AEA Computer Lab. The qualifying examination consists of a 45-minute multiple choice, matching and T/F test with questions about government and the U.S. Constitution. The top five scoring students will then complete a 45-minute essay exam.
The essays and application materials from the top five scoring students will be submitted to the DE by October 30th for selection of the two Iowa delegates and alternates.
If you have questions please contact Kimberly (Kim) Thuente at (515)
Iowa School Counseling Networking Site Now Available on “Moodle”
Utilize this site to share information with your counselors, keep updated on current issues, find professional development opportunities, obtain forms and guidelines for your counseling program, share curriculum resources and discover much more.
To register, go to: http://205.221.40.124:16080/moodle. Login or click login in the top right corner and follow the directions to create an account. “Enroll” in the “course” called, School Counseling – Iowa School Counselors (there is no “course”, it is merely the Moodle language).
For assistance or questions, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us
To register, go to: http://205.221.40.124:16080/moodle. Login or click login in the top right corner and follow the directions to create an account. “Enroll” in the “course” called, School Counseling – Iowa School Counselors (there is no “course”, it is merely the Moodle language).
For assistance or questions, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us
Iowa School Counselor Webinar Series: Resources for New School Counselors
Do you have a new school counselor in your district? Looking for ways to improve your school's counseling program?
You are invited to participate in the first webinar hosted by the Iowa School Counselor Association (ISCA), the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) and the Iowa Department of Education on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
A panel of Iowa school counseling leaders will cover the nuts and bolts of starting a comprehensive school counseling program. Participants will also receive a list of valuable school counseling resources and learn about options for networking with other new school counselors in Iowa. Teresa Keefe O’Meara, ISCA President, will moderate the discussion. Participants will have an opportunity to ask the panel specific questions. A PowerPoint will be provided that you can download to adapt to your local school district.
To register, go to www.ICANsucceed.org/counselors and click on the link in the News and Events. For more information, contact Erick Danielson at (515) 273-7419 or edanielson@icansucceed.org.
You are invited to participate in the first webinar hosted by the Iowa School Counselor Association (ISCA), the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) and the Iowa Department of Education on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
A panel of Iowa school counseling leaders will cover the nuts and bolts of starting a comprehensive school counseling program. Participants will also receive a list of valuable school counseling resources and learn about options for networking with other new school counselors in Iowa. Teresa Keefe O’Meara, ISCA President, will moderate the discussion. Participants will have an opportunity to ask the panel specific questions. A PowerPoint will be provided that you can download to adapt to your local school district.
To register, go to www.ICANsucceed.org/counselors and click on the link in the News and Events. For more information, contact Erick Danielson at (515) 273-7419 or edanielson@icansucceed.org.
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