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: All-Staff Meeting Set for Sept. 12 – See Map & Additional Information

Location:
Palace Theater at Adventureland 

Time:
7:30 to 9:00 a.m. – Benefits/Wellness Fair, continental breakfast
9:00 to 11:30 a.m. – All-Staff meeting 

• NEW! A United Way table will be set up at the Benefits/Wellness Fair and pledge forms will be available during the meeting. Anyone who completes and turns in a pledge form before the end of the meeting will be entered into a drawing to win an Amazon gift card!
• The Benefits/Wellness Fair will be held from 7:30-9:00 a.m. before the start of the meeting. This flyer gives you information on who is participating and what they will have to offer. 
• Wear your agency colors – purple or green – for our group photo at the end of the meeting outside near the Adventureland train station! 
• Please make every attempt to fill the chairs at every table. Please do not move chairs around from table to table, either. We would like to avoid what happened last year when we had to scramble to get more chairs out. 
• We’ll have a photo backdrop available to take selfies with your co-workers to show your “Impacting Lives, Building Futures” spirit! 

Directions: 
Coming from I-80: 

• Turn Left on to Adventureland Drive. 
• Turn Right into the Adventureland Park Entrance. 
• Continue through the unattended parking gate. (Parking will be free.) 
• Park in the first or second parking lot to your left. 
• Enter through the furthest gate to the right (if you are looking at the park). 
• If you continue to walk straight after entering the park, the Palace Theater will be right in front of you.

September 2014 School Leader Update Available

The September 2014 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is now available. In this issue, you’ll read about registration deadlines for Iowa Learning Online, a fall listening tour of the first school districts to implement Iowa’s new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System, a new Iowa Core website that will roll out soon and much more.

September 2014 Each & Every Child Newsletter Available

The September issue of the Each & Every Child newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education is now available. In this issue, learn about the twists and turns for one couple on their journey to find just the right IEP for their son. Also, read what every IEP should include – beyond what’s required.

All-Staff Meeting Benefits/Wellness Fair Updates

Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee is a last-minute addition to the Benefits/Wellness Fair! They will be bringing their body fat tester for on-the-spot body fat tests! 

Flu Shots 
Save time by getting your flu shot at the Benefits/Wellness Fair at the All-Staff Meeting! Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa will be providing flu shots—all you need to do is stop by their table and roll up your sleeve—it’s THAT easy! No doctor’s office, no charge! 

IPERS 
IPERS (Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System) will now have a table at the Benefits/Wellness Fair to answer your burning questions about retirement benefits! 

VOYA – Supplemental Life Insurance 
Due to employee requests through our Benefits Survey, the Agency found a provider, VOYA, to offer supplemental life insurance that you can purchase for yourself, your spouse or your children. At the All-Staff Meeting VOYA will have an individualized packet for each eligible employee that can help you understand and determine if you would like to participate in this option. Stop by their table to pick your packet up, along with VOYA freebies! Actual enrollment will be Nov. 1-30 but plan ahead by going through your packet that VOYA has created specifically for you.

Teacher Quality Course and Study Group Preview

Registration for Teacher Quality courses and study groups is Sept. 18-Oct. 3. Last year eligible staff members were paid $500 to participate in a course or study group. The amount for 2014-15 will be determined when registration closes on Oct. 3. More detailed information will be in The Connection next week. Courses and study groups can be previewed here.

Cohort A of Math Capacity Building Sessions Cancelled

Based on the low number of participants who signed up for Math Capacity Building Cohort A, we are canceling this session and ask that you register for Math Capacity Building Cohort B. The dates for Cohort B are: 

Activity Number: IN062399991501 

Sept. 30 
Oct. 23 
Nov. 21 
Feb. 3 
April 27 

All sessions will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Des Moines. Thank you for understanding our need to cancel this session and for signing up for Cohort B.

September 2014 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the Sept. 9, 2014 Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is now available.

Updated Information About Printing Web IEP Forms

Beginning Sept. 4, 2014, special education forms printed by the Web IEP will have “Date Printed” in the footer. This has been done to clear up any questions that might occur when various individuals have different printed versions of the IEP. 

In the “normal course of business,” it is possible for three versions to be printed; one provided to participants before an IEP meeting, one generated at the conclusion of the meeting and a final copy distributed later. IEPs printed after the “final copy” draw from the live Web IEP database and include the final version and progress monitoring data. 

The agreement of the AEA Special Education Directors from 2010 outlines the allowable corrections between an IEP meeting and IEP validation. Note: The agreement uses the term “implemented,” which has been replaced with “validated.” According to the agreement, corrections that can be made include data completeness and accuracy, editorial review and the inclusion of information that was discussed and decided-upon but not documented. If there is an error or omission that requires an IEP process (review, reevaluation or amendment), it must be corrected through an IEP process. 

To decrease the incidents of editorial errors, remember the Web IEP program has built-in features designed to help the author of the IEP. These features include: 

• Spell Check – The Spell Check utility is on the floating menu of each tab of the IEP. 
• Banking – Replacing the student’s name: When banking items, use **** for the student’s name in the bank. Once that banked item is selected for the IEP, the **** will automatically be replaced with the student’s name and not an incorrect name. 
• Incomplete Data Report – Do not use placeholders in IEP fields with the intention of completing it later. Instead, utilize the Incomplete Data Report (IDR). If a placeholder (xxxx) is entered into an IEP field, the IDR will recognize that field as being complete. If that field is blank, the IDR will not allow the IEP to be submitted until it is completed. 

If you have further questions, contact Sara Mercer at smercer@heartlandaea.org or at ext. 14312 or Misty Christensen at mchristensen@heartlandaea.org or at ext. 11203.

Coaching Transition Planning: Regional Follow-up for Secondary AEA Staff

These sessions will focus on assessment, planning and instruction for transition-age students. Participants will engage in activities to add to their toolbox for working with teachers and students. 

These sessions are required for school psychologists, special education consultants, school social workers or other job-alike personnel who serve in primary contact roles for students of transition age.

Oct. 1, 2014
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Johnston Regional Education Center
DL016392111501

Oct. 3, 2014
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Adel AEA Office
DL016392111502
 
Oct. 6, 2014
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Indianola Church of Christ
DL016399991501
 
Oct. 7, 2014
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ames AEA Office
DL016392111503
 

Early Literacy Alternate Assessments Information From Iowa Dept. of Education

The Iowa Department of Education has issued the following guidance document about Iowa’s Early Literacy Alternate Assessments.