Iowa Area Education Agencies: Partners in Education
Education is changing. School improvement efforts are placing increased emphasis on student achievement and accountability. Area Education Agencies (AEAs) work as educational partners with public and accredited, private schools to help students, school staff, parents and communities meet these challenges. AEAs provide special education support services, media and technology services, a variety of instructional services, professional development and leadership to help improve student achievement.
(Graphics include Iowa AEA logo with letters AEA and state of Iowa outline, photos of high school girl writing, boy toddler, middle school boy with headphones.)
AEAs were established by the 1974 Iowa Legislature to provide equitable, efficient and economical educational opportunities for all Iowa children. AEAs serve as intermediate units that provide educational services to local schools and are widely regarded as one of the foremost regional service systems in the country.
AEA budgets include a combination of direct state aid, local property taxes and federal funds. AEAs have no taxing authority. Funding appears in each local school district’s budget and “flows through” the school budgets.
(Graphics include photos of middle school girl writing and high school boy with report in hand)
Iowa AEA Initiatives
The following are statewide initiatives supported by Iowa AEAs. Information and links to each initiative is available on the Iowa AEA website at www.iowaaea.org.
Comprehensive School Improvement and support for No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
AEAs provide assistance to districts in planning and facilitation for comprehensive school improvement. As we look at the impact of No Child Left Behind, the importance of being proactive is more important than ever.
The Iowa Support Team was developed in response to state and federal legislation described above. Within three months following identification by the Iowa Department of Education, No Child Left Behind requires that a School in Need of Assistance/District in Need of Assistance develop a two-year plan that:
Addresses core academic subjects
Utilizes scientifically researched strategies
Implements new teacher mentoring
Includes parent involvement activities
Schools in Need of Assistance (SINA) and Districts in Need of Assistance (DINA)
AEAs have been given the challenge and opportunity to support schools and districts who have been identified as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act. AEAs provide assistance to Schools in Need of Assistance (SINA) and Districts in Need of Assistance (DINA) in systematic planning and facilitation for comprehensive improvement. As part of the collaborative Iowa Support system, AEA efforts are also focused on improvement of Math, Reading and Science for children across Iowa.
Early ACCESS
Early ACCESS is a statewide comprehensive system that provides the infrastructure to implement the federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-Part C. Early intervention services are provided to infants and toddlers and their families by Area Education Agencies, the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Child Health Specialty Clinics.
Graphic: Photo of girl toddler
Iowa AEA Online
Iowa AEA Online provides free online resources to assist K-12 students and teachers. These Internet resources are accessible from school or home, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The resources include encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, videos, photos, clipart, software training, and other resources to support classroom instruction.
Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC)
The Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) is a voluntary purchasing program that allows schools across the state to take advantage of pricing based on the purchasing volume of many schools and the state’s AEAs. The list of savings for students and teachers includes educational software, office products, digital media, and printers.
Programs and services fall under nine state standards on which AEAs are accredited.
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Support and expertise on best practices in both content and skill areas for children birth to age 5 and K-12 students.
Diverse Learning
Specialized services for children and students birth to age 21 with diverse learning needs, including gifted students and students with disabilities.
Instructional Media
Instructional materials to support K-12 classroom instruction and support for School Improvement.
Multicultural, Gender-Fair
Services that assist schools and school districts to ensure supportive learning environments for all students.
Professional Development
Implement the Iowa Professional Development Model; coordinate workshops, courses, and materials and provide ongoing consultation for area educators and support staff.
School-Community Planning
Support for School Improvement processes and communication with families and communities.
School Leadership
Leadership services that assist with the recruitment, induction, retention, and professional development of educational leaders.
School Management
Support and interim management of school administrative functions.
School Technology
Assistance with technology planning and integration, training, cooperative purchasing, networking, duplication, and distance learning.
Iowa Area Education Agencies
Graphic: map of Iowa with AEA locations
AEA
267
3712 Cedar Heights Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613-6390
319-273-8200
Grant
Wood AEA
4401 Sixth St. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-4499
319-399-6700
Great
Prairie AEA
2814 N. Court Street
Ottumwa, IA 52501-1163
641-682-8591
3601 West Ave. Road
PO Box 1065
Burlington, IA 52601-1065
319-753-6561
Green
Valley AEA
1405 N. Lincoln Street
Creston, IA 50801-1199
641-782-8443
Heartland AEA
6500 Corporate Drive
Johnston, IA 50131-1603
515-270-9030
Keystone AEA
1400 Second Street NW
Elkader, IA 52043-9564
563-245-1480
Loess
Hills AEA
PO Box 1109
Council Bluffs, IA 51502-1109
712-366-0503
Mississippi Bend AEA
729 21st Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722-5096
563-359-1371
Northwest AEA
1520 Morningside Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51106-1780
712-222-6000
Prairie
Lakes AEA
500 NE 6th Street
Pocahontas, IA 50574-2204
712-335-3588
All Iowa AEAs are required to adhere to state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination in programs, activities, and employment practices. For specific information, contact your AEA.
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