Learn More About Iowa's Area Education Agencies
Iowa’s educational structure dates back to 1858, but the first regional services were not established until 1910 when Iowa school districts numbered over 5,000. In that year, county superintendents were appointed to oversee the schools in each county.
Over the years, the number of districts steadily declined. In 1957, the state legislature allowed counties to jointly employ one superintendent to handle the smaller number of districts. Then, in 1965, the legislature approved the merger of two or more counties into joint county school systems. But problems developed under this new arrangement. The availability of services varied greatly from one county or joint-county system to another.
The state legislature responded in 1974 by replacing county systems with 15 area education agencies to provide equity across the state. There are now nine AEAs due to voluntary mergers across the state. Since its inception, Iowa’s AEA system has been widely regarded as one of the finest systems of intermediate services in the country, providing Special Education, Media, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and Professional Learning support to children, families and educators since day one.
Standards for Service
Iowa's AEAs provide many programs and services for children, families, schools and communities, all of which fall under 10 state-required standards for service that all AEAs adhere to.
School-Community Planning
Support for school-community planning, including a means of assessing needs, establishing shared direction and implementing program plans and reporting progress toward goals for all students, including students with disabilities.
Professional Development
Evidence-based professional development programs offered by the AEAs that respond to current needs and are consistent with the standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Support for curriculum development, instruction and assessment for reading, language arts, mathematics and science using research-based methodologies for all students, including students with disabilities.
Special Education Services & Support
Support for special education services, early childhood services for families and children and support for addressing the diverse learning needs of all children and youth.
Technology Planning & Services
Support for school technology planning, staff development for implementing instructional technologies and support for implementing effective instruction through the use of technology, including for students with disabilities.
Learning Environment
Support for districts in analyzing data related to the learning environment and in guiding districts in continuous improvement efforts toward improving the learning environment and social-emotional-behavioral (SEB) outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities.
Compliance
Timely submission of required reports and documents, compliance with relevant federal and state laws in special education and support for schools to ensure compliance with rules related to special education.
Program Evaluation
Support for a program and services evaluation and reporting system that includes information related to special education.
Management Services
Support for management services, including financial reporting and purchasing as requested and funded by local districts.
Media Services
Support for instructional media services that supplement and support local districts.