Heartland AEA assessment consultants help schools and districts assess that instructional practices and curriculum are working for students on the individual-, grade- and school-level. Areas of Support See the table below for Data & Assessment Services or open the document for further objectives and examples.
Read MoreTransition to Post-school Activities The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that schools provide services to students with disabilities to assist in their transition from school to post-school activities. Secondary transition services are designed to be a results-oriented process, with a focus on improving the academic and functional…
Read MoreSpecial Education The Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) includes a system of procedural safeguards designed to protect the rights of children with disabilities and their parents. Procedural safeguards include many rights for parents and students 18 and above including the right to participate in all meetings, to examine…
Read MoreHeartland AEA is responsible for providing general supervision of special education in accordance with the requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Iowa Administrative Rules of Special Education (IAC Chapter 41) and Iowa Code Chapter 256B. Heartland AEA investigates reports of non-compliance and makes recommendations for correcting…
Read MoreThe district-developed service delivery plan is a system for delivering instructional services including a full continuum of services and placements to address the needs of eligible individuals ages 3 to 21. All districts are required to develop a district-developed service delivery plan for special education services, which then becomes part…
Read MoreChild Find refers to the area education agencies’ (AEAs) responsibility to ensure that students who are eligible for special education services are identified, located, evaluated and provided with needed services. Heartland AEA staff members follow statewide procedures for Child Find. These procedures are documented in the statewide special education procedures…
Read MoreAbout Iowa Alternate Assessment All students are expected to participate in district-wide assessments. Students with disabilities may participate without accommodations, with accommodations or through the state of Iowa Alternate Assessment. The individualized education plan (IEP) team considers the characteristics of the student and the nature and purpose of the assessment…
Read MoreThe Iowa Department of Education, in conjunction with the AEAs, has general supervision responsibilities and is required to monitor schools and districts on their compliance with state and federal special education laws. Heartland AEA assists schools in complying with those laws and meeting the needs of students with disabilities or…
Read MoreVision Services As part of the Statewide System for Vision Services, Iowa’s AEAs partner with the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired to provide vision services to students who are blind or visually impaired. Teachers of the visually impaired provide instruction…
Read MoreHeartland AEA offers opportunities for professional learning for educators to enhance their skills and practices to improve student learning. These opportunities include: A variety of courses for credit Workshops that offer the latest evidence-based professional learning for educators Paraeducator and substitute authorization training programs…
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