Our Mission
To provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth.

Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success

Reminder: Johnston REC HVAC Remodel Updates

Plans for the HVAC remodel at the Johnston REC remain on schedule and will begin right around February 1. 

There is still an opportunity for staff to tour the West Des Moines Campus, which will temporarily house our agency meetings and activities during the remodeling project. Dustin Gean will be available on January 29 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. for staff members to come to the West Des Moines Campus (815 8th Street) for a short tour and for him to answer any questions. 

The REC building will be closed the week of March 15-22. No one will be allowed in the building during this week, and there will be no van delivery to schools. During this week, mail delivery and sorting will take place at the Administration Center. Receiving will not be impacted, and items to be shipped can be dropped off at the Administration Center.

Updated Planning Councils Structure & Membership Chart

Click here for an updated Planning Councils Structure & Membership Chart that now includes a second page that gives more detail about the structure of the planning councils and how they are connected. It is also archived on the Intranet under Communications and under Human Resources.

Impacting Lives Blog Showcases AEA Services

View the latest Impacting Lives update at http://aeas4iowa.wordpress.com/ for stories about the many ways Iowa’s AEAs are making a difference. In this issue: 

• Teachers Receive Hands-on Autism Learning Experience 
• ISU Students Make Communication Easier for Sam 
• Northwest AEA/Schleswig school success: The Power of RTI for Preston 
• Helping Districts Navigate Their Changing Populations 
• The Road Less Traveled: One Student’s Struggle with Learning 
• Northwest AEA/Hunt school success: Mom expresses gratitude for teamwork 
• Alex Betz: A Shining Example of the Power of High Expectations 

Like a certain article? Make sure to use the sharing functions below each post to email it to interested teachers/community members or post on your professional blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Google+ pages.

Reminder: External Calendar Up and Running on Agency Website

The Agency’s external calendar is up and running on our agency website. It can be accessed by clicking on the link in the upper right hand corner of the homepage called “Calendar.” The calendar is an embedded Google calendar so events can easily to be copied to personal Google calendars. It is still a work in progress and doesn’t include all our PD events at the moment, but it will provide our stakeholders with a good representation of what events are taking place around the Agency. If you have any questions about this calendar, contact the Communications Department at comms@heartlandaea.org.

Early Literacy Implementation Information From Dept. of Education

As you are aware, the new Early Literacy Law (Iowa Code Section 279.68 and IAC 281-62) contains several requirements for Iowa schools that are now in effect. One of the requirements is that schools provide universal screening and progress monitoring using Iowa Department of Education-approved assessment tools. The approved list is located at: www.educateiowa.gov/early-literacy-implementation. 

To assist districts with the implementation of these expectations, the Department of Education as part of Collaborating for Iowa’s Kids (C4K) is currently working on a plan to provide all Iowa schools with access to Iowa TIER, the Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST) and the Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDIs). On Jan. 24 districts were asked to take a survey to help determine the number of districts that want access to these tools. Surveys are to be completed by Feb. 7. 

During training for these tools, schools will be asked to bring an Internal Coach, Technical Coach, Data Specialist, Content Specialist and a Building Leader (Principal). More information on the training will also be posted as it becomes available at: www.educateiowa.gov/early-literacy-implementation.

Fine Arts Iowa Core Documents Added to Dept. of Education Website

Fine Arts Iowa Core Companion documents have been posted on the Iowa Department of Education website at https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-12/content-areas/arts. Please share this link with teachers, administrators and curriculum directors as appropriate.

AEA Legislative Update

Click here to read this week’s legislative update from the AEA system’s lobbyists, Matt Eide, John Pederson and Tom Lane. We will bring you these updates weekly throughout the legislative session

The Facts About Education Funding – A Team Approach

The Joint Education Allowable Growth Group (IASB, UEN, AEAs, SAI, ISEA) developed an action plan to address Iowa’s declining education funding and the need for consistent growth in the annual spending rate (as well as the need to set the rate consistent with law). A weekly “Fact About Education Funding” will be sent to all legislators, Gov. Branstad and Dept. of Education Director Buck highlighting a pertinent fact about education spending in Iowa. Each week this link will be shared in The Connection. 

Special Education Deficits

IEC Announces New Vendor-Partners for 2014

The Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) has several new vendor-partners with savings opportunities to offer you this year. Each of our partners has gone through a rigorous bid and evaluation process to ensure they are able to provide high quality products, competitive pricing and excellent customer service. 

Enablemart, part of the School Health family, offers a complete line of special needs products to help meet your IEP goals. Click here for more information. 

Egan Supply Company offers a full line of supplies and equipment to clean and maintain your school facilities. Products are supported by a highly experienced team of cleaning and maintenance experts who will provide service after the sale. Click here for more information. 

Henry Schein provides medical supplies, equipment and pharmaceuticals for your school’s health-related needs. Click here for more information. 

iCARE is an online anti-bullying application for web and mobile devices. It helps engage an entire school and give students a way to work together to make their schools safe from bullying. Click here for more information.

Interior Systems, Inc. specializes in modern school dining transformations that will take your cafeteria from simple to sensational! Increase foodservice revenues, create a school showplace and promote school pride. Click here for more information. 

Iowa Prison Industries offers a full line of general cleaning chemicals and supplies for your facilities, including products that comply with Iowa’s Green Cleaning mandate for schools and public buildings. Click here for more information. 

TLC Sensory makes weighted blankets, lap bags and sensory buddies that were developed by a clinical therapist to help children and adults with Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s and other behavioral challenges. Click here for more information.

Xpedx has the products, expertise, environmental programs and procurement solutions you need to provide healthy, clean environments, reduce costs and meet sustainability goals. Click here for more information.

AEA PD Online & AEA K-12 Online January Update

AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online's January updates are now available. For real time updates, follow AEA PD Online on Twitter @aeapdonline or on your mobile device by accessing our app at myapp.is/aeapdonline.

AEA PD Online 
• Top 5 Reasons You Should Teach for AEA PD Online 
• Tool of the Month: Curate Content Using Pinterest 
• Upcoming Courses 
• AEA PD Online: Live! 

AEA K-12 Online 
• Free E-curriculum: Cyberbullying Unit