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

From the Chief Administrator: Organizational Culture Survey Opportunity

Last spring we conducted year two of the Denison Organizational Culture Survey. The results have been shared with all employees and multiple groups are working to support a high-performance organizational culture in a number of ways. To assist in benchmarking our progress, a random group of Heartland AEA staff will be invited to take the survey again this spring. 

The Denison Organizational Culture Survey is a 60-question survey that measures aspects of an organization’s culture in four areas. Individual surveys are collectively tabulated into a graphic profile that compares our organization’s culture to a database of over 770 other organizations. The survey measures opinions and perceptions, which means there are no “right” or “wrong” responses. The information will continue to be used to assist us in planning for our future; specifically, in the way we carry out our mission and build relationships not only among ourselves, but also with our customers and suppliers. 

If your name is identified in the random selection process, you will receive an e-mail invitation on or near April 7, and I hope you will take a few minutes to provide feedback. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

About the Denison Organizational Culture Survey 
Daniel Denison and William Neale developed the content of the Denison Organizational Culture Survey based on 15 years of research and practice in organizational settings. The survey recognizes that cultural traits, managerial behaviors, and organizational strategies can all be linked to a core set of beliefs and assumptions about the organization and its environment. These core beliefs and assumptions lie at the heart of an organization's culture. In the Denison Organizational Culture Model, these core beliefs and assumptions are summarized in terms of four main cultural "traits" (Mission, Adaptability, Involvement and Consistency) that have an impact on bottom-line organizational performance measures such as growth, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and service quality.

AEAs Impacting Lives Update

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

• Transition: Working to Build a Life Beyond the Classroom 
• Northwest AEA/Denison success: Integrating the Multi-Tiered System of Supports 
• Instructional Services – 3D Printing and Scanning

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.

March 2014 AEA Online & AEA K-12 Online Updates

The March updates for AEA PD Online and AEA K-12 Online 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 
• 2014 Summer Ollie and Mollie Course Schedule 
• Tool of the Month: Using Twitter in your online courses 
• Upcoming Courses: April 1-May 15, 2014
• External Partners 

AEA K-12 Online 
• 10 ideas for Using Twitter in your Online or Blended Course 
• Twitter finds a Place in the Classroom

Iowa ASCD to Host Second Annual Competency-Based Education Conference

Iowa ASCD and the Iowa Dept. of Education are hosting a second annual Competency-Based Education (CBE) Conference 
June 23 & 24, 2014 
Events Center, Des Moines, IA 

CBE provides a strong framework for teachers and administrators to understand the Iowa Core and ensure students are college, career and citizenship-ready. Come learn how students can learn and demonstrate competencies which will endure throughout time. 

Click here for more information and click here to register. 

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.