This afternoon you received your Part B award through the State of Iowa ARRA Website accessed via the State’s Enterprise A&A system. Please review all pre-populated data to ensure it is accurate.
Heartland AEA sent an email earlier this morning to all area superintendents and district special education contacts stating that the deadline for Part B ARRA reporting to Heartland AEA is Monday, September 28 at NOON. Please note, this is the ARRA Quarterly Reporting, not the ARRA application which is still due October 2.
The Heartland ARRA Reporting Team will be located in the Johnston office Computer Lab from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday to assist any district on getting the reporting done. If you do not wish to travel to Johnston but still need assistance, you can reach members of the team via phone at (515) 270-9030 or (800) 362-2720 extension 14537. The team also will be available via their email addresses that are listed in the close of the email sent earlier today or by clicking here.
Training videos on ARRA quarterly reporting can be accessed under "Latest Update" on the DE's Web site for ARRA Stimulus Information. The link for the page is http://edtraining.iowa.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=2.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Agenda for October Curriculum Network Meeting
The October Curriculum Network meeting will be held on October 2, 2009 at the Heartland AEA office at 6500 Corporate Drive. Click here for the agenda.
Juvenile Court Services to conduct Community Conversations
Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) and Juvenile Court Services will be conducting Community Conversations regarding insight into the reform and restructure of the group care process in Iowa. For the conversations to be worthwhile, they are inviting individuals who have had direct experiences with group care. Such individuals would already have an understanding of group care process (what it is and what it does) and/or specific suggestions to improve the process. You may be interested in the Community Conversation if you had a child in group care or direct experiences with children who have been in group care and would like to share feedback about reforming the system.
Click here for an information letter from the DHS. If your district is in Story County, please click here instead.
Click here for an information letter from the DHS. If your district is in Story County, please click here instead.
Iowa Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference
Social Studies educators are invited to attend the annual conference hosted by the Iowa Council for the Social Studies (ICSS) on October 12, 2009 at the West Des Moines Marriott Hotel in West Des Moines. This year’s theme is “Social Studies: The Core and So Much More.” To learn more and to register, go to http://www.uni.edu/icss/program2009.pdf
Read-Aloud and ELL Translations in World Book
World Book encyclopedia online databases (for elementary, secondary and reluctant readers) now have both read-aloud and text translation features to make information more accessible to all students. The articles, primary sources and e-books are translated into 13 languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish. More info is at http://store.worldbook.com/wb/Assets/CPC/email/adv_diff/advdiff_announce_s.html.
Access World Book from the Heartland Home page under Resources & Research Tools at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us. You can share the school username/password with parents so they can use this resource with their children. Ask your teacher librarian for assistance.
Access World Book from the Heartland Home page under Resources & Research Tools at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us. You can share the school username/password with parents so they can use this resource with their children. Ask your teacher librarian for assistance.
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:
- Iowa Residency
- BA degree
- Elementary Certification in Iowa
- Attend classes online
- Access to an on-site Mentor
- Job-embedded class assignments
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.
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