Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA) works in partnership with public and accredited private schools to provide educational services, programs, and resources for improving the learning outcomes and well being of all children and youth in central Iowa. Heartland AEA staff members serve children from birth to age 21, families, educators and communities.
Heartland AEA's staff members, 75 percent of whom are licensed educators, aid student achievement in many ways. They teach students; provide direct services to students with special needs; consult with teachers, principals, and superintendents; meet with parents; lead school-community meetings, and undertake many other tasks to improve teaching and learning.
Service Since 1975
Heartland AEA has the largest student enrollment of Iowa's nine area education agencies. AEAs were created by the 1974 Iowa Legislature and opened a year later to ensure efficient, effective and equal educational opportunities for all children.
The Agency is a public entity funded by federal and state aid, legislatively-controlled property tax, grants, course tuition and the sale of educational products. Most of Heartland AEA's services are free, although a nominal fee is charged for services such as printing, graphic design, lamination, some professional learning courses, and special school district requests.