281—72.4(273) Standards for services. 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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(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.
	72.4(10) The AEA shall maintain a program and services evaluation and reporting system, consistent with the requirements of this chapter.
	72.4(11) The AEA shall provide support for school district libraries in accordance with Iowa Code section 273.2(4).
	72.4(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.
[ARC 6981C, IAB 4/19/23, effective 5/24/23]