GHAEA H.E.L.P. Blog- February 2015

Have you visited the new Attendance Center Ranking application?

Last month's blog introduced the Iowa Attendance Center Ranking system. As required by HF 215, it is designed to group schools into one of six categories: exceptional, high performing, commendable, acceptable, needs improvement, and priority. Categories will be based on each school’s performance on nine required measures listed in legislation: 

1. Proficiency rates in math & reading
2. Academic growth 
3. Attendance rates
4. Parent involvement
5. Employee turnover
6. Community activities and involvement
7. Closing achievement gaps score
8. Graduation rate
9. College readiness

The Department is releasing this first phase to demonstrate to the Legislature progress in meeting the requirement. No school rankings are part of this initial release of information. A more complete Attendance Center Rankings system is expected this fall.

Are you familiar with the 2015 AEA Legislative Priorities?

Here’s a brief overview. More in-depth information is found here: AEA 2015 Legislative Priorities

Early Literacy/Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

Supports a state commitment of $8 million for the AEA system to reach the goal of every Iowa child reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade.

Restore Funding for Children with Special Needs

$70 million of state funding has been reduced from the AEA system over the past 4 years. 

Teacher Leadership and Compensation Training

Supports a state commitment of $2 million to provide training and technical support for implementation of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation system 

School-based Mental Health Services
Supports a state commitment of $2.5 million to provide pilot projects in each AEA for school based mental health services.

Personalized Learning
Supports a state commitment of $2 million to continue the development and delivery of a robust system of personalized learning for all Iowa students. 

For more information, contact AEA Executive Director Brent Siegrist at bsiegrist@gwaea.org