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

Did You Know? Agency Communications Vehicles

Ever have questions about some of the Agency’s communication vehicles? Not sure what the HeartBeat is or how to submit information? Not sure who has responsibility for the Agency’s website or how to get content posted? Not sure how to get information out to school administrators? Click here for a document that outlines the Agency’s important communication vehicles, how information is gathered and where they are archived. Contact the Communications Department at comms@heartlandaea.org if you have any questions.

Sign Up to be a Contributor to the AEA Pinterest Site!

According to Edutopia.org, over half a million education pins are made to Pinterest daily by 48.7 million users. This social media site is quickly becoming a go-to site for busy educators in search of lesson plans, book recommendations, classroom organization ideas and more. To assist Iowa educators, the AEAs have developed a statewide Pinterest site at http://pinterest.com/iowaaea/. 

As you know, the Pinterest site is a collaborative project of the state’s nine AEAs and content is added by AEA consultants from across the state. The 36 boards provide a visual, dynamic forum that informs parents, educators and school administrators about AEA programs and resources, as well as other quality, credible ideas and resources relating to education. Not yet using Pinterest? Click here for a helpful guide on creating an account and using the social media site. 

For more information or to sign up to be a contributor to the boards, contact the Heartland AEA Communications Department at comms@heartlandaea.org.

FYI: AEA Customer Survey to Launch Next Monday

Next Monday, March 3 the Agency will be sending out the link to the AEA Customer Survey. This annual survey is conducted by the Iowa Department of Education and is a means to get input from our customers about our progress of our goals and the effectiveness of our programs and services. 

The survey should only be filled out by the educators we serve. If, by some chance, you receive an email invitation next Monday, do not fill out the survey.

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. 

Across the Board History and Rationale for A Timely School Funding Decision

AEA PD Online & AEA K-12 Online February 2014 Updates

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

AEA PD Online 
• Tool of the Month: Vocaroo 
• Upcoming Courses: March 1-April 15, 2014 
• External Partners 

AEA K-12 Online 
• Ten Steps to Choosing Digital Curricula for Blended Learning 
• EduCanon: Creating Interactive Videos for Your Online or Blended Classroom

Keystone AEA Opens TIC Conference Registration to All Iowa PK-12 Educators

Keystone AEA will host its annual Technology Integration in Classrooms Conference (TIC) on June 17-18, 2014 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque. All PK-12 Iowa educators are invited to register and attend the event, which will include dozens of breakout sessions and nationally recognized keynote speakers each day. 

Registration for the two-day conference is just $99 before May 1. Re-certification credit is also available. Click here for the promo video, keynote bios and all of the details.

Spread the Word – Upcoming Events

Diverse Learners Resource Fair 
March 29, 2014 
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus 
Click here for more information about this fair that links families of children and youth with special needs to community and agency resources. 

ASPIRE Support Group’s Autism Month “Breaking Through Challenging Behavior” Presentation 
April 1, 2014 
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 
Heartland AEA Ames Office 
Click here for more information about this presentation focusing on functional behavior assessment with Sean Casey, challenging behavior and autism consultant at the Iowa Department of Education. 

Transition Fair 
April 7, 2014
5:30-8:30 p.m.
ADM High School, Adel 
Click here for more information about this fair for families, educators and others serving students 14 and over with disabilities. Registration is required as an evening meal and childcare will be provided.