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
On Feb. 13 the Agency debuted a new online staff directory featuring our agency staff members. While the look and feel of the staff directory was improved, its basic functions haven’t changed. The new directory is accessible from the homepage of our website, as the former directory was, and it is also available via a link on everyone’s Employee Dashboard.
Now that the new online staff directory is live, the information about our agency staff members that was held in PeopleBox (photo, home address and phone number) was removed. That information is now available when you login to the new online staff directory. District/school information, however, will remain available via PeopleBox.
As you hopefully know, PeopleBox supports a mass email function. This function is still available but now only applies to district/school staff. If you would like to send an email to Heartland AEA staff members at the same time you are sending one to a district/school group, you will need to do so using Gmail.
If you have any questions, contact Sean Boyle, Computer Software Engineer, at sboyle@heartlandaea.org.
Flex plan participants can request a new debit card at www.myflexonline.com for the 2015 plan year. When the new flex debit card is requested, the participant will be asked if they would like to order an additional card for a spouse or other dependent. Once the debit card has been ordered, the participant should receive their card(s) in approximately two weeks.
Here is information on how plan participants can order a flex debit card, download and use Kabel Business Services myflex mobile app and upload a claim on www.myflexonline.com.
Each week during the Iowa legislative session, we will bring you an AEA Legislative Update from the AEA system’s lobbyists, Tom Lane, Matt Eide and John Pederson.
During the legislative session, the Joint Education Allowable Growth Group (IASB, UEN, AEAs, SAI, ISEA) will once again be creating weekly factoids about the need for consistent growth in the state’s annual education spending rate. These “Facts 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 also be shared in The Connection.
Categorical Funds and Ripple Effects in the Formula
Beginning today, Feb. 23, 2015, the following enhancements will be available on the Web IEP program:
- Page A teacher - The Teacher/Service Provider name on Tab A can be edited when the IEP is either opened or archived. This will assist in updating the Page A teacher column on the student list.
- IEP Overview - The Meeting Date and Type will be highlighted blue. The IEP can only be opened by selecting IEP from the Meeting Date or Type column.
- Multiple Collaborators - Multiple collaborators can be added to assist with iPad progress monitoring.
Beginning Feb. 25, 2015, the following enhancement will be available on the Web IEP program:
- Final Exit - The "include on PWN" option will be available for the Final Exit Description. This check box must be checked before the final exit PWN is created and then the description will carry over to the PWN. Once the box is checked, it will have to be unchecked manually.
If you have any questions, contact Misty Christensen, Regional Director/Assistant Director of Special Education, at mchristensen@heartlandaea.org or ext. 11203.
Date: April 1, 2015, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Heartland AEA Johnston Regional Education Center
Activity Number: DL017692111501
Instructor: Cynthia White-Botello, Special Education Consultant, Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School
Target Audience: Teachers, parents, associates, administrators and AEA staff who work with students whose intellectual, conceptual and functional skills are in the 0 to 2-year range of development. The assessments and interventions require a great deal of collaboration in order to determine how the materials should be applied for a given student, so it is recommended a student’s learning partners – parents, school and AEA staff - attend the training as a team.
Description: Course participants will be provided an overview of research-based assessments and interventions to support instruction for students with visual impairments and significant additional disabilities including deafblindness. These instructional strategies consist of multiple trials, slower pacing, clutter reduction, materials presented within the zone of proximal development, scaffolding, decreased stress, highly structured learning activities, increased motivation and active participation.
This fall, the course will be offered as a multi-session opportunity (5 half-day sessions), with time in between sessions for practice, collaboration, coaching and feedback. Participation in the April 1st overview will help course participants determine whether the assessments and interventions are a match for the needs of their students.
If you have any questions, contact Keri Steele, Regional Director/Assistant Director of Special Education, at ksteele@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14372.
The Significant Disabilities State Leadership Team is in the process of developing a long-range professional development plan on specially designed instruction of the Iowa Core Essential Elements for administrators, educators and AEA staff who support students with significant disabilities. We value your input and request your participation in this survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/69TTH5N
Thank you for your assistance in developing a long-range professional development plan on specially designed instruction of the Iowa Core Essential Elements. The survey is scheduled to close March 6, 2015.
If you have any questions, contact Keri Steele, Regional Director/Assistant Director of Special Education, at ksteele@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14372.
