Iowa Administrative Code › Agency 281 - Education Department › Title XIII - Area Education Agencies › Chapter 72 - Accreditation of Area Education Agencies › Rule 281-72.4 - Standards for Services

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 3, July 24, 2024
An AEA shall provide services that meet these standards as
				  evidenced by, but not limited to, the descriptors following each standard.
				  These services shall be accessible to all schools and school districts within
				  the agency's service region.
(1) The
				AEA shall deliver services for school-community planning. The AEA assists
				schools and school districts in assessing needs of all students, developing
				collaborative relationships among community agencies, establishing shared
				direction, implementing actions to meet goals, and reporting progress towards
				goals.
(2) The AEA shall deliver
				professional development services for schools, school districts and AEA
				instructional, administrative, and support personnel. The AEA anticipates and
				responds to schools' and school districts' needs; supports proven and emerging
				educational practices; aligns with school and school district comprehensive
				long-range and annual improvement goals; uses adult learning theory; supports
				improved teaching; uses theory, demonstration, practice, feedback, and
				coaching; and addresses professional development activities as required by the
				Iowa Code or administrative rules.
(3) The AEA shall deliver curriculum,
				instruction, and assessment services that address the areas of reading,
				language arts, mathematics, and science but may also be applied to other
				curriculum areas. These services support the development, implementation, and
				assessment of rigorous content standards in, but not limited to, reading,
				mathematics, and science. The AEA assists schools and school districts in
				gathering and analyzing student achievement data as well as data about the
				learning environment, compares those data to the external knowledge base, and
				uses that information to guide school and school district goal setting and
				implementation of actions to improve student learning.
(4) The AEA shall address the diverse
				learning needs of all children and youth, including but not limited to services
				which address gifted and talented students, and meet the unique needs of
				students with disabilities who require special education. Services provide
				support to schools and school districts and include special education
				compliance with Iowa administrative rules for special education.
(5) The AEA shall provide services that
				support multicultural, gender-fair approaches to the educational program
				pursuant to Iowa Code section
				256.11. These services assist
				schools and school districts to take actions that ensure all students are free
				from discriminatory acts and practices; to establish policies and take actions
				that ensure all students are free from harassment; to incorporate into the
				educational program instructional strategies and student activities related to
				responsibilities, rights, and the respect for diversity which are necessary for
				successful citizenship in a diverse community and a global economy; and to
				incorporate on an ongoing basis activities within professional development that
				prepare and assist all employees to work effectively with diverse
				learners.
(6) The AEA shall deliver
				media services. These services align with school and school district needs,
				support effective instruction, and provide consultation, research and
				information services, instructional resources, and materials preparation and
				dissemination to assist schools and school districts to meet the learning needs
				of all students and support local district media services. These services
				support the implementation of content standards in, but not limited to,
				reading, mathematics, and science. These services also support and integrate
				emerging technology.
(7) The AEA
				shall supplement and support effective instruction for all students through
				school technology services. These services provide technology planning,
				technical assistance, and professional development, and support the
				incorporation of instructional technologies to improve student achievement.
				These services support the implementation of content standards in, but not
				limited to, reading, mathematics, and science. These services support and
				integrate emerging technology.
(8)
				The AEA shall deliver services that develop leadership based upon the Iowa
				Standards for School Administrators as adopted by the board of educational
				examiners. Leadership services assist with recruitment, induction, retention,
				and professional development of educational leaders. AEAs develop and deliver
				leadership programs based on local and state educational needs and best
				practices.
(9) The AEA shall
				deliver management services if requested. If the AEA provides management
				services to school districts, the services shall conform to the provisions of
				Iowa Code section 273.7A.
(10) The AEA shall maintain a program and
				services evaluation and reporting system, consistent with the requirements of
				this chapter.
(11) The AEA shall
				provide support for school district libraries in accordance with Iowa Code
				section 273.2(4).
(12) The AEA shall provide support for early
				childhood service coordination for families and children to meet health,
				safety, and learning needs, including service coordination under 281-Chapter
				120.