DIBELS Data to Now Be Imported Into HEART Database

FYI: Within the next few days a new import process will be available in HEART for data from the DIBELS data system. The DIBELS data system will soon discontinue the existing export for DIBELS data. The new import will be able to read DIBELS-6, DIBELS Next and EasyCBM Math data stored in the DIBELS data System. In order to have the best quality data, it will be important to do some additional setup and cleanup work inside the DIBELS data system. Directions for this process can be found on the “What’s new” page of the HEART manual. 

For questions on this process, contact your regional assessment consultant or Connor Hood, Assessment Consultant, at chood@aea11.k12.ia.us.

November 2012 AEA Impacting Lives Update

Read the latest “Impacting Lives” update at http://aeas4iowa.wordpress.com/. In this issue, you’ll find information about the AEAs’ collaboration with the Iowa Dept. of Education, exciting news in the world of online learning, learning outcome success stories and a heartwarming article about the Selby brothers.

Iowa Dept. of Education Releases “Overcoming the Achievement Divide” Report

Click here to download the report “Overcoming the Achievement Divide: Key Challenges and Solutions for Iowa Schools” that was released last week by the Iowa Department of Education. It confirms the areas where we are focusing as a state, including the implementation of the Response to Intervention (RtI) framework to close the achievement gap among Iowa’s students.

Heartland Staff Walk Over 107 Million Steps During Next Step Challenge

During the Next Step Challenge held in September and October, 60 teams of Heartland staff members competed in the walking challenge. Many teams took the competition seriously and really got into the spirit of things. We hope everyone enjoyed the friendly competition and the health benefits that come from increased walking and other fitness activities. Incentives for the top teams include radio pedometers, travel/workout bags, wrist wallets (for holding keys/cards when walking/jogging) and winners get a custom piece of Heartland-logoed wellness clothing. 

Totals from the challenge are below. 
Total steps for Heartland AEA staff: 107,876,473 
Total miles walked by Heartland AEA staff: 53,938 

1st Place: 
Heartland Stalkers: Teri Hazen, Jill Crees, Jan Morgan & Jane Quanbeck (Average steps per person was over 668,000 steps and average miles per person was over 334 miles) 
2nd Place: 
Charlie Tango: Jennifer Downs, Heidi Webber & Brianna Sayre Geiser (Average steps per person was over 614,000 steps and average miles per person was over 307 miles) 
3rd Place: 
Ewalks: Katie Streff, Gina Menke, Janice McMurry, Brianne Magel, Lisa Lumbard, Deb Longnecker, Connie Kellogg, Tuan Dao, Melanie Dao & Jan Carl (Average steps per person was over 608,000 steps and average miles per person was over 304 miles)

Kabel Business Services Holiday Schedule

Kabel Business Services, the provider of our medical and dependent care flex spending plans and our Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), has notified us of its holiday hours so you can be reimbursed for your claims in a timely manner. Kabel will be closed: 

• For Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23. There will be no disbursements for claims on these days. 
• For the Christmas holiday on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25. There will be no disbursements for claims on these days. 
• For the New Years holiday on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. There will be no disbursements for claims on this day. 

Questions about any of your accounts at Kabel Business Services may be addressed to the company at (515) 224-9400 or 800-300-9691.

Get Updated Information on AEA PD Online & AEA K-12 Online Programs

Things are picking up in the world of online learning! In order to bring timely, relevant information to educators across Iowa, the AEA system has developed two blogs to post updates about AEA PD Online and the new AEA K-12 Online. Read below for what’s new! 

Educators across the state have increasingly taken advantage of AEA PD Online, an initiative provided by Iowa’s AEAs to provide high-quality professional development anytime, anywhere. Go to http://www.aeapdonline.org/ for updates or click on the article links below. For real time updates, follow AEA PD Online on Twitter at @aeapdonline. 

Recent Updates: 
- Upcoming Course Offerings 
- AEA PD Online Webinar Series 

New! Through AEA K-12 Online, educators can learn how to create and deliver their own online or blended-learning to K-12 students. AEA K-12 Online includes free content, technical supports, consultation and professional development specifically around teaching online. Go to http://www.aeak12online.org/ for updates or click on the article links below. 

Recent Updates: 
- Introducing AEA K-12 Online: Bringing Online Learning to Iowa K-12 Classrooms 
- Iowa’s Communities of Practice and Innovation