Iowa AEA Initiatives
Collaboration Creates Efficiencies

Education is changing. School Improvement efforts are placing increased emphasis on student achievement and accountability. Area Education Agencies 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 promote school improvement.

Below are areas in which the AEAs continue to collaborate to create efficiencies:

• Equitable, localized services to school districts through collaborative relationships with LEA and AEA leadership and staff
• Internet aggregation
• Instructional Decision Making
• Iowa AEA Online
• Iowa Collaborative Assessment Modules
• Iowa Core Curriculum
• Iowa Educators Consortium
• Lending library materials/system
• Monthly joint meetings (special education, media and educational services
• Printing services
• Professional development (delivery online, multiple sites)
• Special education procedures manual
• Statewide AEA positions (challenging behavior, learning supports and positive behavior supports)
• Statewide AEA/DE web applications (Information Management System, Individualized Education Plan, Individualized Family Service Plan, Medicaid and Child Find)
• Statewide Child Find and special education procedures
• Technology consultation
• Use of virtual meeting tools such as Polycoms and Adobe Connect Pro