Summarized Version of Ruling on HF 847 and Children with Disabilities Available

On Dec. 8, Certified staff received an email regarding a recent Ruling from the Iowa Department of Education on State Complaints Concerning House File 847 and Children with Disabilities. In addition to the slides and the Ahlers & Cooney Client Alert included in the email, Iowa’s AEAs have created an abbreviated version of the ruling as a resource to use when working with teams to understand the ruling.

Coming This Spring: New Course Offerings for Students on Alternate Assessment

The Agency has new course offerings focusing on literacy for teachers of students on alternate assessment. 

Emergent Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment 

Course #182335 

April 4, 12 & 22, 2022 

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Johnston REC 

Conventional Literacy Strategies for Students on Alternate Assessment 

Course #182326 

April 4 & 26 and May 19, 2022 

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Johnston REC 

Includes the book by Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver

FYI: New 3D Core Vocabulary Symbols Available Through Creative Services

For students with significant cognitive disabilities and communication needs, core vocabulary is an important part of learning. For students with visual impairments, Project Core has created a set of 3D symbols. You can read more about those on the Project Core website. 

Heartland AEA’s Creative Services now has six symbols available for purchase: 

• GO
• LIKE
• NOT
• LOOK
• FINISHED
• HELP
• MORE 

To order, go to Creative Services Online. Enter 3d in the search box. Teachers can pay with a school PO or p-card or their credit card.

Important Information as Child Count Day Approaches This Friday, Oct. 29, 2021

Child Count Day, Oct. 29, 2021, is quickly approaching! Please read the reminders below and if any apply to you, complete them as soon as possible. Let's work together to make Child Count 2021 go smoothly! 

• Students moving into the state of Iowa with an active IEP must have an Iowa IEP completed on Iowa IDEA prior to Child Count. If an Iowa IEP meeting will not be held on or before Oct. 29, 2021, follow the Out of State IEP Procedure for 2021-2022 document that is located on the Heartland AEA Special Education Procedures, Processes and Forms site which states the following process will be followed: 
• Beginning Oct. 18, 2021, after verifying with the Primary Contact or Direct Service Provider that no Iowa IEP meeting will be held on or before Oct. 29, 2021, the Data Specialist will start a Move-In type IEP for those students who have moved into Iowa and no meeting will be held on or before Oct. 29, 2021. The Data Specialist will complete: 
• Family Tab 
• Tab A except for the Procedural Safeguards and, if applicable, Rights will Transfer Information (Must be completed by PC, Direct Service Provider or Teacher) 
• Tab F will add one Service box and EC Worksheet when applicable. (Must be completed by PC, Direct Service Provider or Teacher) 
• RSD tab except for the Disability Code (Must be completed by PC, Direct Service Provider or Teacher) 

• All PK to Kindergarten students must have a transition IEP completed prior to Child Count. The Data Specialists will run reports and Primary Contacts and/or Direct Service Providers will be notified if a transition IEP has not been completed. If you are responsible for any Kindergarten students, check to make sure the transition IEP has been completed. This includes: 
• Changing the grade to Kindergarten (Family and A tab) 
• Marking Full-time programming 
• Updating the teacher or service provider 
• Updating the EC Setting Worksheet 
• Verifying the District-Wide Assessment information 
• Completing a final ECO. Remember, an ECO on an Initial cannot be considered the Final ECO - there must be two sets of data for comparison. Also, the Final ECO must show progress as Yes or No. 

• All IFSP and IEP processes/meetings held on or before Oct. 29, 2021, must be completed and submitted as soon as possible; no later than noon on Nov. 1, 2021. Primary Contacts, work with your teachers to ensure that all IEPs are submitted within that timeline. If you are a Direct Service Provider for IEPs and/or IFSPs, complete and submit your IEP/IFSP within that timeline. Initial IEP and IFSP meetings must be held and dated on or prior to October 29, 2021. Eligibility meetings do not count as IEP meetings if meetings are held separately. 

• Students who are no longer receiving special education services on Oct. 29, 2021, MUST have an exit IEP/IFSP completed and submitted by noon on Nov. 1, 2021. If you are a Primary Contact, work with your teachers to make sure students are exited who are no longer receiving special education services. If you are a Direct Service Provider, complete exits for students you are no longer serving that are listed on your roster. 

• Direct Service Providers, as well as teacher rosters, are in the process of being distributed by the Administrative Assistants. If you are responsible to turn in rosters, take some time to review the rosters carefully to make sure all data is correct and all students are accounted for on the roster. 

• For meetings being held after Oct. 29, 2021, IEP and IFSP Plans can be started at any time and remain open. Be sure to enter a date after Oct. 29, 2021, in order to not receive reminder emails regarding opened Child Count IEPs and IFSPs. 

Thank you in advance for your help in making Child Count 2021 a smooth process!

Reminder: Do You Serve Students With Autism? You Can Provide Feedback on Services and Supports Through Survey

The Iowa Regional Autism Assistance Program Expert Panel and the Iowa Autism Council are inviting parents, family members, individuals and providers to provide feedback on the state’s support and services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

AEA staff are encouraged to provide feedback through this survey and to forward the survey to parents and families who may be interested in providing this feedback as well. The data will be used to help improve services and supports for individuals with ASD and their families. The survey will close on Oct. 8, 2021.

Autism Services Survey

Do You Serve Students With Autism? You Can Provide Feedback on Services and Supports Through Survey

The Iowa Regional Autism Assistance Program Expert Panel and the Iowa Autism Council are inviting parents, family members, individuals and providers to provide feedback on the state’s support and services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

AEA staff are encouraged to provide feedback through this survey and to forward the survey to parents and families who may be interested in providing this feedback as well. The data will be used to help improve services and supports for individuals with ASD and their families. The survey will close on Oct. 8, 2021.

Autism Services Survey

Did You or Your Families Miss the Recent Parent Session on Executive Functioning? If So, Here’s the Recording

Heartland AEA’s Family & Educator Partnership recently hosted a virtual parent session on executive functioning, facilitated by Peg Dawson, Ed.D. You may view the session recording here and share it with your colleagues and families.

Support for Students with Significant Intellectual Disabilities & Iowa Alternate Assessment

The Iowa Department of Education has sent information about the 2021-2022 Alternate Assessment Requirements and Timelines to designated contacts within each district. 

A summary of timelines, some additional resources for teachers and 2021-22 Professional Development opportunities available through Heartland AEA are linked on this Supporting Learners with Significant Intellectual Disabilities document.

Executive Skills Expert to Present Virtual Training for Parents on Sept. 14

Pass on this opportunity to any parent who may be interested!

The Family & Educator Partnership strives to provide families and the community with training to help their students in the classroom. In doing so, Heartland AEA is excited to announce an upcoming learning session provided by Peg Dawson, a field expert on Executive Skills. This virtual training is designed to help students achieve success in school and in life. No registration is required. 

Smart but Scattered: Helping Children and Teens Strengthen Executive Skills to Reach Their Full Potential 

Sept. 14, 2021 

6:30 p.m. Central Time (U.S. and Canada) 

Zoom Meeting Link

Executive skills are critical to the acquisition of academic skills, but, more importantly, they are the skills students need to get things done. They are brain-based skills such as task initiation, sustained attention, working memory, planning, organization and goal-directed persistence that are absolutely critical to school success. Some students seem to acquire them naturally, but many students struggle with them. Dr. Peg Dawson, co-author of the books Smart but Scattered and Smart but Scattered Teens, will describe how these skills develop throughout childhood and suggest strategies parents can use to help children acquire the critical skills they need to be successful students. 

Peg Dawson, Ed.D., is a school psychologist by training with expertise in the assessment of learning and attention disorders, is a past president of the National Association of School Psychologists and a recipient of NASP’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

New: July 2021 Early Intervention & Special Education Release Notes Available

The Early Intervention & Special Education Release Notes have been updated and posted on the Iowa IDEA Information (i3) website as of July 1, 2021.

July 2021 Release Notes

These updates will be covered at August regional meetings, but if you have any questions prior to that time, don't hesitate to contact your regional director, Kristi Upah, Sara Mercer or Amy Hanken. 

Reminder: New Tip Sheet: Best Practices for Writing a Prior Written Notice

Parents are afforded procedural protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), one of which is the right to a "Prior Written Notice." 

Heartland AEA has recently created a resource document to support special education practitioners with tips and recommendations for writing quality Prior Written Notices. We hope both AEA and LEA practitioners find this resource helpful in documenting IEP team discussions and decisions through the writing of the PWN.    

Best Practices for Writing a Prior Written Notice

New Tip Sheet: Best Practices for Writing a Prior Written Notice

Parents are afforded procedural protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), one of which is the right to a "Prior Written Notice." 

Heartland AEA has recently created a resource document to support special education practitioners with tips and recommendations for writing quality Prior Written Notices. We hope both AEA and LEA practitioners find this resource helpful in documenting IEP team discussions and decisions through the writing of the PWN.    

Best Practices for Writing a Prior Written Notice

FYI: Physical Education for Students with Disabilities Resource from Iowa Dept. of Education

The Iowa Department of Education has released "Guidance for Physical Education for Students with Disabilities" on their website. There is not a change in our procedures or practices, but this document might be a useful resource in working with IEP teams around needs related to physical education programming.

Iowa Intermediary Network: Resource to Connect Secondary Students to Career Exploration

The Iowa Intermediary Network is a great resource that can be used to connect all secondary school students to career exploration opportunities. The site includes links for educators, students, parents and businesses/organizations. Agency Special Education leaders would like to make a special note of the student link that highlights speakers from a variety of CTE fields. Students can register and watch these free live events, or they can watch recorded versions of the events at their convenience at the site’s Live Events page.

Nov. 2020 Updates Made to Iowa IDEA Information (i3) Website

Edits and updates are made to the i3 website on a monthly basis. The edits for November 2020 can be found on the Special Education Updates for November 2020 page of the website.

Important Information as Child Count Day Approaches This Friday, Oct. 30

Child Count Day, Oct. 30, 2020, is quickly approaching! Please read the reminders below and if any apply to you, complete them as soon as possible. Let's work together to make Child Count 2020 go smoothly!  

Students moving into the state of Iowa with an active IEP must have an Iowa IEP completed on Iowa IDEA prior to Child Count. If an Iowa IEP meeting will not be held on or before Oct. 30, 2020, follow the Out of State IEP Procedure for 2020-21 document that is located on the Heartland AEA Special Education Procedures, Processes and Forms site which states the following process will be followed:   

• Beginning Oct. 19, 2020, after verifying with the Primary Contact or Direct Service Provider that no Iowa IEP meeting will be held on or before Oct. 30, 2020, the Data Specialist will start a Move-In type IEP for those students who have moved into Iowa and no meeting will be held on or before Oct. 30, 2020. The Data Specialist will complete: 

• Family Tab 
• Tab A except for the Procedural Safeguards and, if applicable, Rights will Transfer Information (Must be completed by PC, Direct Service Provider or Teacher) 
• Tab F will add one Service box and EC Worksheet when applicable. (Must be completed by PC, Direct Service Provider or Teacher) 
• RSD tab except for the Disability Code (Must be completed by PC, Direct Service Provider or Teacher) 

All PK to Kindergarten students must have a transition IEP completed prior to Child Count. The Data Specialists will run reports and Primary Contacts and/or Direct Service Providers will be notified if a transition IEP has not been completed. If you are responsible for any Kindergarten students, check to make sure the transition IEP has been completed. This includes:  

• Changing the grade to Kindergarten (Family and A tab)  
• Marking Full-time programming  
• Updating the teacher or service provider  
• Updating the EC Setting Worksheet  
• Verifying the District-Wide Assessment information  
• Completing a final ECO. Remember, an ECO on an Initial cannot be considered the Final ECO - there must be two sets of data for comparison. Also, the Final ECO must show progress as Yes or No.  

Direct Service Provider, as well as teacher rosters, are in the process of being distributed by the Administrative Assistants. If you are responsible to turn in rosters, take some time to review the rosters carefully to make sure all data is correct and all students are accounted for on the roster.   

Students who are no longer receiving special education services on Oct. 30, 2020, MUST have an exit IEP/IFSP completed and submitted by noon on Nov. 2, 2020. If you are a Primary Contact, work with your teachers to make sure students are exited who are no longer receiving special education services. If you are a Direct Service Provider, complete exits for students you are no longer serving that are listed on your roster.   

All IFSP and IEP processes/meetings held on or before Oct. 30, 2020, must be completed and submitted as soon as possible; no later than noon on Nov. 2, 2020. Primary Contacts, work with your teachers to ensure that all IEPs are submitted within that timeline. If you are a Direct Service Provider for IEPs and/or IFSPs, complete and submit your IEP/IFSP within that timeline. 

For meetings being held after Oct. 30, 2020, IEP and IFSP Plans can be started at any time and remain open. Be sure to enter a date after Oct. 30, 2020, in order to not receive reminder emails regarding opened Child Count IEPs and IFSPs.  

Thank you in advance for your help in making Child Count 2020 a smooth process!

Mathematical Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities to be Offered in January

This course will cover a framework for the instruction of mathematical ideas for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This course is designed for students who are progressing on the Iowa essential elements aligned to the Iowa Core standards. 

Links to the literacy framework will be made, along with a process for determining whether students are at an emergent or conventional level for instruction. Strategies and routines for each type of learner will be provided. Teachers will participate in mathematical activities in order to increase understanding. 

Jan. 8-12, 2021 

Delivered virtually 

Registration -- Course Now Full

Strawhacker is Agency-wide Nurse Consultant; Contact Your RD with 504 Concerns

We want to make you aware of changes to MaryAnn Strawhacker’s role within the Agency for the 2020-21 year. MaryAnn is assuming the role of agency-wide nurse consultant and will continue working with Heartland AEA staff and district nursing staff to train, support and problem solve concerns regarding evaluation and health services for students receiving special education services. 

Given that MaryAnn will be the Agency’s sole nurse consultant, she will no longer be the direct contact for 504 concerns. If 504 concerns arise, reach out to your regional director for next steps. MaryAnn will continue sharing information regarding health services for all staff through her School Nurse newsletter.

Alternate Assessment Updates for 2020-21

If you are a primary contact for students on alternate assessment, please make sure teachers are aware of tasks and approaching deadlines.

This document contains the deadlines, new information and links to the state commencement letter, training sites, office hours and other resources. 

Reminder: Required Learning for Staff Working in Special Education to be Hosted Via Live Zoom in the Next Two Weeks

As was shared earlier this summer, there are a number of professional learning sessions being designed through statewide collaborative efforts, which will be required for practitioners working in special education across the state.

Heartland AEA will be facilitating a professional learning session entitled: Virtual Evaluation Considerations training. This course will help evaluators identify best practice considerations for engaging in evaluation practices in virtual learning environments. All certified staff who engage in Child Find processes should plan to participate in one of the following live Zoom sessions:

8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. Aug. 19, 2020, Zoom Link
or
12:00 - 4 p.m. Aug. 24, 2020, Zoom Link

If you are unable to participate in either of the two options above, please discuss this with your Regional Director, so alternative plans can be made for you to engage in learning via a recorded version of the session.