Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.

Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success 

Welcome to the 2017-18 School Year!

I just wanted to take a minute to welcome all of you to the 2017-18 school year! Many of our team have been hard at work all summer preparing for the coming days, and our 40 new team members have been involved in orientation activities since Aug. 11.  

Before you dive headlong into your back-to-school whirlwind, I hope you will take just a minute to reflect on the powerful opportunities that each of us have to make Iowa a better place for children, families and educators. AEA work in Iowa is unique in not only its function but also its value. Put simply, no one else does the things we do for children. 

We have the opportunity to impact not only the quality of student learning but also the quality of their lives. We have the ability to bring some sense of peace and confidence to families who have children with disabilities who are entering a school setting for the first time. We have the ability to make sure all children continue to have access to the instruction and supports they need to grow in their independence as they move through the system, and we significantly enhance the ability of children to live independently when they leave our system. That’s for every child, for every family and in every school in Iowa regardless of wealth or zip code.  No state in our country offers the same level of service and equity.  

Most importantly, please remember that, regardless of your role in the Agency, improved learning outcomes and well-being of children and youth are happening because of you! I believe that each of us has been given a gift and an opportunity to make a difference. It’s an awesome responsibility, so just let me say thank you in advance for your unique contributions to making Iowa a better place to live. I appreciate your work and am looking forward to a fantastic 2017-18 school year!

- Jon Sheldahl

Chief Admistrator

Let’s Get to Know Our New Chief Administrator Jon Sheldahl

Many of you saw this video at your recent regional meetings, but if you haven’t yet seen it, this video provides an introduction of Dr. Sheldahl. Topics covered include his background, why he chose to come to Heartland AEA, his leadership philosophies, how he will engage with staff in the coming months, as well as some fun “either or” questions. Check it out!

Third Draft of Iowa’s ESSA Plan Released for Public Review

Last week Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise announced that the third draft of Iowa’s state plan for meeting the federal Every Student Succeeds Act is available for public review and comment. Iowa’s plan will be finalized and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education in September.

“Iowa has several collaborative education improvement efforts underway, each with a goal of preparing students for success in high school and beyond, and the Every Student Succeeds Act is an opportunity to connect and build on those efforts,” Wise said. “We’ve made great strides in designing a plan that makes sense for our state, and this is a final opportunity for Iowans to review this plan.” Read a snapshot of the plan here.

ESSA is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. This update replaces the No Child Left Behind Act. Under ESSA, Iowa and other states must develop state plans that address student assessments, school accountability, funding, and support for struggling schools.

The third draft released last week incorporates feedback on the second draft, released in June. The third draft includes the following changes to an accountability index, or series of measures that will be used to identify schools in need of improvement (see pages ix and x for a complete summary of plan revisions):

• A postsecondary readiness measure will remain part of the accountability index, but Iowa needs time to develop the right measure. Accordingly, the Department will convene a work group during the 2017-18 school year to develop a postsecondary readiness measure to be phased in starting in the 2018-19 school year.
• A measure of school climate and culture, called conditions for learning, will carry a smaller weight in the accountability index (5 percent) during the 2017-18 school year while the measure is fully developed. This measure relies on surveys of students, school employees and parents -- as well as data such as student suspensions -- to measure a school’s safety, engagement and environment.

In developing the draft ESSA plan, department leaders have sought input through 18 public forums statewide, an advisory committee, focus groups, education work teams, and written comments. A final state plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by September 18. The plan will be revised and updated in years to come.

Iowans are invited to give feedback on the third draft in an online feedback survey, which is open through September 11.

Feedback also can be submitted via email at ESSA@iowa.gov or by mail: Iowa Department of Education, Attn: Deputy Director David Tilly/ESSA Feedback, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14^th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-0146. For more information on the Every Student Succeeds Act in Iowa, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

Information About Early Literacy Transition to FASTBridge Available Here

The Early Literacy Transition to FASTBridge recorded information for AEA staff that was referenced at the Aug. 18 and 21 regional meetings is available for staff here. A written transcript of the recording is also available in this week's Connection. 

Please take the time to listen to the recording or read the transcript. If you have any questions, contact your regional director of Wendy Robinson, Director of Instructional Services.​​​​​

Registration Now Open for Teacher Quality Courses & Study Groups

Registration for Teacher Quality courses and study groups begins today and ends Sept. 15, 2017. The list of courses and study groups being offered is now available. Teacher Quality (TQ) courses and study groups meet for 15 hours off contract time, and participants are eligible for a stipend upon completion. New Certified staff members are eligible to sign up for these opportunities. The amount of the stipend is established after registration closes and does fluctuate from year to year. Over the last three years, participants were paid between $600 and $640 to participate in a course or study group, which will be offered from Oct. 2017 through June 2018. 

A new option this year will allow staff members to develop their own study group proposals. Study groups must have at least four participants, and one participant must agree to be the facilitator. The content must align with Heartland AEA’s four goals or support a specific job-alike function. Use this form to indicate your interest in forming a study group. Study group proposals can be turned in Aug. 21 – Sept. 15, 2017. The Professional Development Office will work with interested participants in writing their study group proposal.  

Here is a frequently asked questions document that will help answer questions. 

If you have any other questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer. 

Agency Professional Learning System: 2017-18 Will Be a Pilot Year

As was shared during regional meetings this month, 2017-18 will be a pilot year for the Agency's Professional Learning System. Each regional director will work with five certified staff to engage in the pilot. Pilot participants will provide valuable feedback and influence on our Agency's Professional Learning System moving forward.

Certified staff members who are interested in participating in the pilot are asked to complete a three-item survey no later than Aug. 25 (this Friday). The Professional Learning System pilot will include representation of agency job-alike groups and professional learning profiles. Those who are selected to participate in the pilot will be notified in September. If you have any questions, contact Martha Condon, Director of Professional Learning at ext. 14416. 

Instructional Practices Inventory Sessions Scheduled for October

Heartland AEA is hosting two Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) Workshops in the fall for teachers who want to enhance their practice of collecting and collaboratively studying student engagement. Jerry Valentine, IPI Developer and Lead Trainer, will facilitate both workshops.

Instructional Practices Inventory Level I Workshop

The IPI workshop will begin with an overview of the IPI categories and the protocols for data collection and transitions to a local school to make observations in a classroom setting.

Oct. 4, 2017

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Van Meter Community School District, 520 First Ave., Van Meter

Registration

Instructional Practices Inventory Technology Workshop

During the workshop, participants will develop the skills to document student engagement through the use of technology and learn how to use the profiles to engage faculty in collaborative learning conversations about engagement, instructional change, technology integration and school-wide instructional goals.

Oct. 5, 2017

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Heartland AEA, Johnston Regional Education Center

Registration

Reminder: Updated Statewide AEA Special Education Procedures Manual Now Available

Attached are the Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual (July 1, 2017) and Release Notes (July 1, 2017). These are also posted on the Iowa IDEA website. They are currently posted on the front page of the IDEA website, in addition to their permanent location under the IEP drop down menu > Statewide Special Education Procedures > Manual.

If you have any questions regarding the content, contact your Regional Director.

Updated Guidance Available About Creating, Reviewing and Revising FBAs & BIPs

Information related to creating, reviewing and revising a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that was included in the July 1, 2017, Area Education Agency Special Education Procedures and Release Notes reflected the best understanding at that time of how the Web IEP system would work for FBAs and BIPs during 2017-18 school year. Due to changes in programming, that information is now incorrect. Please use this corrected FBA/BIP document as a guide for creating, reviewing and revising FBAs and BIPs.