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 Room 8 Open for Reservations Beginning Tomorrow

We are now happy to report that Conference Room 8 in the Johnston REC will be open for reservations beginning tomorrow, May 6. As with the opening of Conference Rooms 3 & 4 last week, we are pleased to have these rooms available ahead of schedule. 

As with Rooms 3 & 4, we will have limited technology in Room 8—a cart with an LCD projector on it. At this time, we are also not able to provide tech support for the REC since so many events are still taking place at the West Des Moines Campus. Because it's a smaller room, Room 8 can be reserved individually through the Resource Scheduler. 

Again, 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.

Reminder: Please Use Correct Logo and Website Address

We have seen continued use of our logo with the outdated tagline and our outdated website address. We are no longer using the logo with the “Extending Your Reach” tagline, so please discontinue using it on documents, PowerPoints, etc. The current logo is available for download on the Intranet > Communications > Communication Resources and Publications > Logos & Usage. 

Please also use the www.heartlandaea.org website address in your publications. We began using this new address in June 2013, so the old www.aea11.k12.ia.us address is getting pretty outdated. Thank you for your attention to these issues!

May 2014 School Leader Update Now Available

Click here to read the May 2014 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, Director Brad Buck writes about the components now in place that will move education forward in the state. Attorney Nicole Proesch gives us the skinny on prom do’s and don’ts. And as the Legislature wraps up its work this year, so, too, does Legislative Liaison Mike Cormack.

May 2014 Each and Every Child Newsletter Now Available

Click here to read the May 2014 issue of the Each and Every Child newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education. In education, we talk a lot about the education slide during the summer break in which students fall behind from the previous school year. But in this issue, you will learn that Prairie Lakes AEA is doing something about it. We also offer tips for parents to keep their students from falling behind.

Reminder: Addendum Process and Form for Summer Service for June 2014

Below is the process to receive addendum pay for services provided in June. This is only for staff members who need addendum pay for providing direct service to students between the dates of June 1-30, 2014. Please remember the expectation is that you will provide service to children you serve if summer service is needed. If you need addendum days outside of this timeframe, please talk with your supervisor. This form is for the purposes of estimating addendum time so addendum can be initiated in IFAS. You will need to submit your actual time through the addendum online process. 

Please read the directions carefully. Any forms that are not filled out correctly will be returned.

1. Click here for the Request Summer Service Form. 
2. Fill in the appropriate boxes in the Excel form (the boxes that need to be filled out have been shaded in gray). If you need more student lines, you can add rows, but do so before the last line so the calculations will remain intact. 
3. If you are serving students in multiple regions, please only fill out ONE form. Just list the kids for both regions in one document. 
4. Save the document as YourName 2014. 
5. Email the form to Tinna Walberg, Regional Director, at twalberg@heartlandaea.org prior to May 14. 
6. If you pick up additional students after you have submitted your form, please contact Tinna Walberg. 
7. Tinna will initiate addendum time for you through the online system. You will receive an e-mail the time has been initiated. The amount of time you will be allotted will be based on what you have submitted. 
8. After you have completed the service, you can submit your addendum time through the Employee Dashboard. 
9. You must list dates and initials for the students who received services in the notes box at the time you submit the time worked. 
10. Tinna will approve the addendum and notification will be sent to your supervisor. 

If you have questions about the process or the form, contact your supervisor or Tinna Walberg.

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. 

Legislature Should Set the 2015-16 Cost per Pupil Before 2014 Adjournment

AEA PD Online to Launch Self-Paced Courses in June

AEA PD Online’s self-paced courses are designed for educators who want to start and complete a course on their own schedule. Self-paced courses will be available for license renewal, sub authorization and paraeducator renewal at $60/credit. Courses will be available at http://training.aeapdonline.org. Click here for an informational flyer. 

Courses beginning in June:

Digital Citizenship 
A six module series focused on instructing teachers how to build responsible digital technology use with students. 

• Overview to Digital Citizenship 
• Cyberbullying and Online Safety 
• Digital Literacy 
• Netiquette 
• Copyright and Fair Use 
• Digital Security 

Using Iowa AEA Online’s Resources 
An overview to integrating multimedia resources into your classroom. 

• Introduction to Iowa AEA Online 
• Using Video in the Classroom 
• Using Audio and Images in the Classroom 
• Using Resources for Student Research 
• Copyright and Fair Use 

The Exceptional Learner 
This meets the requirements for beginning licensure. 

• Overview to Exceptional Learners 
• Categories of Disabilities 
• Talented-and-Gifted Education 
• Other Types of Exceptionality