Welcome to a new school year!
Dr. Lane Plugge, Chief Administrator
July 1, 1975, is an important date in the history of GHAEA and the entire statewide AEA system. It was on this date that regional education in Iowa took a major step forward.
In the spring of 1974, Senate File 1163 allowed for 52 county and joint-county school systems to transform into 15 area education agencies (AEAs). On July 1, 1975, Iowa’s AEAs opened their doors and began to provide much needed services and programs that could not be offered efficiently and economically by local schools. The legislation erased the discrepancies that existed between Iowa schools. Iowa’s AEAs collaborated to improve the educational opportunities for all children.
Prior to the establishment of the AEA system, only eight percent of Iowa’s children with disabilities had educational opportunities in their home communities, and in Iowa’s general education classrooms, only 30 percent of students had access to current media materials. The availability of resources varied greatly between Iowa’s schools -- urban and rural, large and small.
Today, due to voluntary mergers across the state, there are nine AEAs. The AEA system is widely regarded as one of the finest intermediate service systems in the country, continually evolving to ensure that the educational needs of future generations are met.
The creation of AEAs has had a major impact in the state of Iowa. It led to the development of specialized teams that provide support and resources in the areas of autism, brain injury and crisis response, to name a few. AEA media centers provide teachers and students with resources to support instructional needs in reading, math, science, and numerous other content areas. Partnerships have been formed to provide the best educational opportunities for children with special needs, and collaborations with higher education institutions and community colleges allow us to provide professional development for graduate credit or license renewal. Thanks to Iowa's AEAs, a cooperative purchasing program saves schools 40 to 70 percent off list price on media equipment and materials, paper and art supplies. The list goes on and on.
A lot has changed in the 40 years that have passed since the inception of our organization. We have several staff who have been with our agency for 10, 20, 30 . . . even 40 years! Today, veteran and new staff alike can celebrate the difference we have made, and will continue to make, in the lives of children, families, educators and communities!
I welcome each of you back to the 2015-16 school year. I appreciate your commitment to continuing the 40-year history of providing outstanding services to children, parents, educators, and communities in southwest Iowa!
July 1, 1975, is an important date in the history of GHAEA and the entire statewide AEA system. It was on this date that regional education in Iowa took a major step forward.
In the spring of 1974, Senate File 1163 allowed for 52 county and joint-county school systems to transform into 15 area education agencies (AEAs). On July 1, 1975, Iowa’s AEAs opened their doors and began to provide much needed services and programs that could not be offered efficiently and economically by local schools. The legislation erased the discrepancies that existed between Iowa schools. Iowa’s AEAs collaborated to improve the educational opportunities for all children.
Prior to the establishment of the AEA system, only eight percent of Iowa’s children with disabilities had educational opportunities in their home communities, and in Iowa’s general education classrooms, only 30 percent of students had access to current media materials. The availability of resources varied greatly between Iowa’s schools -- urban and rural, large and small.
Today, due to voluntary mergers across the state, there are nine AEAs. The AEA system is widely regarded as one of the finest intermediate service systems in the country, continually evolving to ensure that the educational needs of future generations are met.
The creation of AEAs has had a major impact in the state of Iowa. It led to the development of specialized teams that provide support and resources in the areas of autism, brain injury and crisis response, to name a few. AEA media centers provide teachers and students with resources to support instructional needs in reading, math, science, and numerous other content areas. Partnerships have been formed to provide the best educational opportunities for children with special needs, and collaborations with higher education institutions and community colleges allow us to provide professional development for graduate credit or license renewal. Thanks to Iowa's AEAs, a cooperative purchasing program saves schools 40 to 70 percent off list price on media equipment and materials, paper and art supplies. The list goes on and on.
A lot has changed in the 40 years that have passed since the inception of our organization. We have several staff who have been with our agency for 10, 20, 30 . . . even 40 years! Today, veteran and new staff alike can celebrate the difference we have made, and will continue to make, in the lives of children, families, educators and communities!
I welcome each of you back to the 2015-16 school year. I appreciate your commitment to continuing the 40-year history of providing outstanding services to children, parents, educators, and communities in southwest Iowa!
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