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

Johnston REC Conference Rooms 3/4 Open for Reservations Beginning Tomorrow

We are happy to report that beginning tomorrow you will have access to a large conference room in the Johnston Regional Education Center -- a month ahead of schedule! 

Conference Rooms 3/4 & the ICN Room will be available to reserve beginning April 29. There are a few things to note: 

• You must reserve Rooms 3 & 4 together when making a reservation. The rooms won’t be available separately at this time. 
• The technology in the room will consist of an LCD projector and speakers on a cart. 
• There will be no room set-up at this time. The rooms will be set in pods with seating for 30 in Rooms 3/4 and 30 in the ICN Room. You can move the tables and chairs around, but PLEASE put them back the way you found them. 

As usual, you will need to make reservations for this large conference room by completing the Conference Room Request & Set-up Form. If you have any questions about the form or a request, contact Lindsey Turner, Central Office Administrative Assistant, at lturner@heartlandaea.org. Regular room set-up and technology features will return to the room when it is “officially” open for business at the beginning of June. 

We hope the opening of these rooms will be more convenient for you and our visitors. Thanks for your continued patience and flexibility through the HVAC remodel project! If you have any questions, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager, at dgean@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14460.

Benefit Enrollment Closes WEDNESDAY, April 30; Updated Benefit Forms Added to the Intranet

At this point, there are only three days left to enroll in our agency benefits! Please don’t put it off until the last minute! It’s beneficial for everyone to have this completed – please take five minutes to do so! 

Updated forms have been placed on the Intranet > Benefits > Dependent Care & Medical Flex Plans: 

• Change of Election Form: for use with both Dependent Care and Medical Flex plans 
• Claim Form: for use with both Dependent Care and Medical Flex plans 
• Letter of Medical Necessity: can be filled out by your doctor for possible reimbursement for typical non-reimbursable things such as massage therapy, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, gym memberships and weight loss program fees for you, your spouse or your dependent(s). Submitting this form does not guarantee that the expense will be reimbursed. 
• Personal Information Change Form: should be filled out and returned to the Benefits Specialist when you have a name change or address change so this information can be communicated to Kabel Business Services. 

An updated HRA Claim Form was also been placed on the Intranet > Benefits > Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). 

Clarification about vision exams: Routine annual vision exams are not covered at 100%. As long as they are billed as the annual routine vision exam, there is no deductible; however, there is a co-insurance cost. 

From Juliette: Thanks to everyone who has completed their benefit enrollment, asked questions, waited patiently for answers and shown hospitality and generosity during my office visits. It has been a pleasure to meet and assist you! If there is anything I can help you with, please give me a call or send me an e-mail anytime at jhouseman@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14315. And a note from Kathy: she is happily golfing, biking and enjoying the Florida sunshine!

Registration Open for Statewide Early Literacy Implementation Trainings

FYI: Beginning last Monday, April 21, registration opened for those districts that have chosen to meet Early Literacy Implementation (ELI) (Iowa Code section 279.68) requirements using Iowa TIER and FAST. Training dates and locations have been established and registration links are available on the Iowa Department of Education ELI webpage. For additional guidance and information related to Iowa Code section 279.68, please see those sections also available at the above link. Training registration is scheduled to close on May 2.

The Facts About Education Funding

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. 

Late Decision on Cost per Pupil Impacts Dropout Prevention

Clarification: Iowa Core Teacher Quality Opportunity for Heartland AEA Staff

(Please note: Eligible staff may take one or both days for TQ pay if they are off contract. The rate will be $250 for each day.) 

Heartland AEA will be offering an Iowa Core Teacher Quality (TQ) course for staff on June 11 and 13. The course is called “High Impact Collaborative Structures to Implement ELA Iowa Core and MTSS/RtI.” Even though this is being offered as a two-day course, staff can choose to attend only one day. 

The purpose of these two days is to address how high impact collaborative structures can support elementary buildings in successful implementation of the ELA Iowa Core standards through a Multi-Tiered System of Support framework to address the needs of all students (lowest performing to highest performing). 

Day 1 will focus on Organizational Leadership and Structures (functions of leadership team, consensus and collaborative culture, data routines and assessment literacy). Day 2 will focus on Universal Instruction and Implementation of the ELA Iowa Core Standards. 

These workshops are open to all staff eligible for TQ money. This course is being funded from the Iowa Core TQ funding stream (different from the TQ funds used to pay for classes and study groups), so if you already took a TQ class during the 2013-14 school year, you are eligible to take this course and receive TQ money. AEA staff members must be off contract to receive TQ money. Staff may sign up to attend one or both days and the reimbursement rate will be $250 for each day. If one or both of the June dates doesn’t work in your calendar, we will offer the workshops again in the fall. Districts will also be able to pay a fee and register for the workshop. 

TQ Registration Information: 
(Heartland AEA staff will be able to register without paying the fee.) 
High Impact Collaborative Structures to Implement ELA Iowa Core and MTSS/RtI 
June 11 & 13 (credit is available) 
Choose this option if you are attending both days. The system will not charge you the credit fee if you sign up and don’t want credit. 
RE033599111501 

Organizational Leadership and Structures 
June 11 only (no credit)
RE033399111501 

ELA Iowa Core - Universal, Targeted and Intensive Instruction 
June 13 only (no credit) 
RE033499991501 

If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Executive Director of District Services, at kfangman@heartlandaea.org.

Changes in Adequate Yearly Progress Alternate Assessments

Beginning this fall, Iowa’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities will be the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) English/language arts and math for grades 3-8, 10 & 11 and the Iowa Alternate Assessment Science (IAAS) for grades 5, 8, and 11. The DLM assessment is supported by the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation, University of Kansas and is a computer delivered, computer adapted assessment. DLM integrates student assistive technology and is a year-long instructionally embedded assessment that includes a year-end summative assessment. 

The IAAS (Iowa’s current science alternate assessment) will have no changes in assessment administration. Teacher training is required to administer both the DLM and IAAS assessments. District staff who manage and have oversight of the alternate assessment will also require training. The Significant Disabilities State Leadership Team is developing a fall statewide training plan. The Iowa Department of Education will host a series of informational webinars in May that outline training content and requirements, roles and responsibilities of districts, including tech support and DLM/Department supports. For more information, contact Emily Thatcher, consultant at the Iowa Department of Education, at emily.thatcher@iowa.gov or (515) 281-3500.