New FAST Benchmarks and TIER Updates

New Updated FAST benchmarks were released through the TIER notification system on Aug. 24. These have changed since the DRAFT release earlier in the month on Aug. 11. The revised Early Literacy Universal Screening Benchmarks are dated Aug. 24.

To address some of the recent questions regarding the changes, we are providing the quotes from TIER as to "why" the benchmarks have changed. 

"Early literacy benchmarks (a.k.a. cutpoints) for the FASTBridge screening tools have been updated for the 2015-2016 year. This update is a result of the research and development team having an additional year of screening data on hand, therefore, a larger sample with which to identify target performance levels. These updates should lead to greater consistency between grade levels (e.g., 3rd to 4th, 4th to 5th, etc.) and between measures (i.e., CBMR and aReading). In general, aReading benchmarks are somewhat higher. "

The TIER knowledge base provides access to the most up-to-date information, benchmark scores, etc.

If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Robinson at wrobinson@heartlandaea.org.
 
TIER Slowdowns
The Iowa TIER site has been experiencing some slowdowns and other issues/bugs. Please remember to submit any issues TIER ticketing system.

If you want to do a quick status check on any of the TIER systems, this link provides that information.

ESL Advisory Dates for 2015-16

All school districts are encouraged to send a representative/team to the quarterly ESL Advisory meetings held at the Heartland AEA Johnston REC in Room 129 from 4-5 p.m. These meetings provide networking, latest Title III and assessment updates, resources and opportunities for districts to apply for Title III mini-grants to support English Learners.

Meetings for the 2015-16 school year are the following:
*Sept. 29
Dec. 1
Feb. 16
May 3

*The first ESL Advisory meeting of the 2015-16 school year will be postponed until Sept. 29. The meeting was originally scheduled for the 8th. On Sept. 29, the Title III Materials mini-grants will be available for application. These grants are focused on supporting ELs through access to Core instruction. This year we will be awarding up to seven mini-grants for $3,500 each.

Contact an ESL/Diversity Consultant if you have questions: Stephaney Jones-Vo, sjonesvo@heartlandaea.org or Janet Hiatt, jhiatt@heartlandaea.org.

Final Reminder: Lau Plan Workshop Scheduled for Sept. 3

Administrative teams with questions remaining about  your district's Lau Plan for meeting needs of English Learners (available for upload this year with your district C-Plan), are invited join us for this workshop for additional support prior to the upload. Remember that this year, the C-Plan approval is contingent upon the Lau Plan approval.

Lau Plan Support
Date: Sept. 3, 2015
Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Register by Activity Number: ES009292111601

Please email your current Lau Plan by Aug. 26 to allow Title III consultants time to review your plan with meaningful feedback, to: sjonesvo@heartlandaea.org and jhiatt@heartlandaea.org

Arrive promptly at 8:30 a.m. for announcements and coffee, with feedback and individual consultation provided as needed.

Title III consultants Stephaney Jones-Vo and Janet Hiatt will be available for consultation and guidance to ensure a smooth approval process when you upload your plan with your district's C-Plan. Remember, this 2015-16 school year will be the first year that C-Plan approval can be stalled pending the approval of your Lau Plan.

Two Lau Plan Tips for Administrators prior to upload on Sept. 15
1.  Encourage districts to PDF the files to ensure they can upload a single document.
2.  Be sure that your districts are aware that their CSIP won't be approved until the LAU Plan is approved this year. That includes using the required template in order to be approved this year.

Save the Date: Iowa Culture & Language Conference

Iowa Culture & Language Conference
Nov. 9-11, 2015
Coralville-Marriott Hotel and Conference Center

Visit the Iowa Culture & Language Conference website or see the attached flyer for more information information about keynote speakers and pre-conference presenters.

Save the Date: STEM Education Equity Symposium

STEM Education Equity: Policies to Create Opportunities in Rural Iowa is a day-long symposium on the opportunities and challenges of strengthening STEM education in Iowa.  The University of Iowa Public Policy Center, as part of its “Run Up to the 2016 Caucus” series, is planning the event in collaboration with the University of Iowa College of Education, and with the support of Iowa NSF EPSCoR*. The event will be held Oct. 19 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

National and state experts will present an overview of STEM in Iowa, as well as innovations in rural areas across the country; examine STEM equity needs of disadvantaged students in rural areas; and discuss next generation science standards, school business partnerships, diversity in the STEM pipeline, and legislative perspectives.

For more information, please visit the Public Policy Center's event page.

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

We Hope You’ll Join Us! Heartland AEA Leadership Networks

Most of this information can be found on our website under Instructional Services > Leadership Development & Supports > Leadership Networks.

Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA)
The Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) meets from 9:00 to 11:50 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month, September through May, in Rooms 107A & B of the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive). The agenda items are both informational and professional learning driven for superintendents. The meetings are jointly planned by the Superintendent Advisory Committee and Heartland AEA personnel, including the chief administrator. The meeting dates for 2015-16 are the following:

Sept. 1, 2015
Oct. 6, 2015
Nov. 3, 2015
Dec. 1, 2015
Jan. 5, 2016
Feb. 2, 2016
March 1, 2016
April 5, 2016
May 3, 2016

HAA Chair        Deron Durflinger, Van Meter

Go to the HAA Google Site for meeting agendas, handouts and other important documents.

For more information about HAA meetings, contact your regional director or Paula Vincent, Chief Administrator, at pvincent@heartlandaea.org or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14314.

Superintendent Advisory Council (SAC)
The Superintendent Advisory Council (SAC) members help advise agenda items for HAA meetings and serve as a liaison for Heartland AEA regions. SAC meets quarterly from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. in Room 109 of the Johnston REC. The meeting dates for 2015-16 are the following:

SAC Members
Region 1 & 2        Deron Durflinger, Van Meter, Chair
Region 1 & 2        Lynn Ubben, Perry
Region 3              Delane Galvin, Southeast Warren
Region 4              Thomas Ahart, Des Moines
Region 5              Lisa Remy, West Des Moines
Region 6              Bruce Kimpston, Ankeny
Region 7              Ottie Maxey, Ballard
Region 8              Shane Ehresman, Lynnville-Sully
Non-Public Schools     Glenn Vos, Des Moines Christian
Community Colleges     Rob Denson, DMACC

Meeting Dates    
Sept. 1, 2015
Dec. 1, 2015
Feb. 2, 2016
April 5, 2016
 
Curriculum Network
The Curriculum Network meets from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the first Friday of every month, September through June. Meetings are held in Room 13A & B at the Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 Corporate Drive).

The meeting dates for 2015-16 are the following:
Sept. 4, 2015
Oct. 2, 2015
Nov. 6, 2015
Dec. 4, 2015   
Jan. 8, 2016
Feb. 5, 2016
March 4, 2016   
April 1, 2016
May 6, 2016

Go to the Curriculum Network Google Site for meeting agendas, handouts and other important documents.

For more information about the Curriculum Network, contact your regional director or Kevin Fangman, Executive Director of Learning & Leadership, at kfangman@heartlandaea.org or (800) 255-0405 ext. 14374.

You're Invited: TIC (Technology Integration & Collaboration)

Heartland AEA would like to invite you to the first TIC (Technology Integration and Collaboration) session of the 2015-2016 school year! 

What is TIC: TIC is a series of professional learning sessions where area educators come to Johnston for a FREE morning of learning from exemplar area educators who share how they're successfully transforming learning through technology integration.  An updated list of all sessions being offered this year can be found on the image below.

Topic: K-12 Foreign Language: Quality Instruction Using Technology
Date: September 29, 2015
Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Johnston AEA
To Register: TE104892111601

We are also excited to announce that all TIC sessions for the 2015-2016 school year will be streamed live.  If you can't join us in person, join us online!

Find the Live Stream Link for 9/29/15 Session

Please pass this information on to all Foreign Language teachers in your district or others in your building that might be interested in attending.  More information about this and upcoming sessions can be found on the TIC website.