GHAEA Voice

Top o' the morning to you! GHAEA audiology staff celebrated the holiday early when they met Monday in Creston. May the luck o' the Irish be with you today and always! 

On March 8, the Iowa Dept. of Education unveiled their early literacy policy brief which  highlights key findings since the 2012 adoption of an early literacy law by the Iowa Legislature.  The report states that many "districts have been growing steadily in the percent of students at or above benchmark consistently over several screening periods." It went on to mention Council Bluffs CSD which has "shown regular increases in the percentage of students at or above benchmark for the last five consecutive screening periods, ultimately growing from 46.8 percent in spring 2015 to 56.3 percent in fall 2017. This type of steady change over a long period of time is how results are best sustained."      Congratulations to CBCSD and to our team of literacy consultants who work with and support district teachers and administrators to improve instruction in literacy.       Iowa’s early literacy law is designed to ensure all students are proficient ...

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jason Plourde will join GHAEA for the 2017-18 school year as a regional administrator (West Region). Veteran staff may remember Plourde when he was employed with AEA 13 as a special education teacher in the mid 90's. He currently serves as director of secondary education for Council Bluffs CSD. 

Early ACCESS staff in the East Region were invited to an assistive technology workshop on March 1 that focused on switch-activated toys. Special education consultants  Kristi Minnick, Samantha Wilson and Denise Young facilitated the workshop. Staff were asked to bring a plush toy so they could learn how to adapt the toy with switches.  Switch-adapted toys are specially modified to allow individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play and learn as independently as possible. With the use of a switch, a person with disabilities can be an active participant in fun, meaningful accessible activities. 

Nominations will be accepted through March 31 for the 2016-17 Carla J. Nigro Spirit Award.  Carla was a school psychologist at Loess Hills AEA 13  who had an enthusiasm for life. She l ost her life to cancer in September 2010  but will always be remembered for her great spirit in the way she demonstrated a positive outlook, a friendly nature, a selfless attitude and a passion for helping others.       This annual award acknowledges a Green Hills AEA special education representative (school psychologist, school social worker or special education consultant) who exemplifies Carla's spirit in his/her daily work with students, parents, teachers and coworkers.   The recipient of this award will receive a gift certificate, a plaque to honor his/her commitment to others, and will be acknowledged by peers at a GHAEA Professional Learning Team meeting.         Nominations must be submitted by March 31, 2017 . For more information, c...

If you are reading this right now, you probably remembered to set your clocks ahead. Welcome to Daylight Savings Time! 

The 2017 GHAEA Summer Course Catalog is now posted on the agency's homepage. Classes are being posted as they are approved, so check back often for updates. For more information, contact Michelle Lidgett .