Equipping Educators to Help Every English Learner Thrive
Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) provide essential, evidence-based support to schools serving English Learners (ELs), ensuring compliance with Iowa Code and federal Lau Plan requirements. This work centers on building educator capacity through strong professional learning, coaching, and networking—so teachers and leaders can confidently meet the needs of their growing EL populations.
At the core is professional development designed to strengthen instructional practice through evidence-based frameworks such as the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP). This model helps teachers plan and deliver lessons that include clear objectives, language scaffolds, and visual supports—strategies that make content accessible while advancing English proficiency across all subject areas.
All AEA EL support aligns closely with Iowa’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards, ensuring students build the academic language skills needed for success. Beyond classroom instruction, AEAs provide systemic support that ensures English Learners have equal access to the same high-quality education as their peers. This includes:
- Assisting with Language Instruction Education Programs (LIEP)
- Guiding schools in the administration and interpretation of the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA), including ACCESS for ELLs
- Supporting accurate progress monitoring, program placement, and data-driven instructional adjustments aligned with ELP standards
AEAs also offer newcomer support and help districts foster meaningful family and community engagement. In addition, AEA consultants partner with school teams to differentiate between challenges related to language acquisition and those tied to a potential disability—ensuring each student receives appropriate, effective support.
Modes of Support
- Coaching and consultation
- Classroom modeling and debriefing
- Classroom observations and walkthroughs
- Implementation coaching (leadership or staff)
- Ongoing professional learning with embedded coaching
- Resource integration
- Structured time for planning, reflection, and collaboration
- Leadership teams (district and/or building)
- Teacher teams (PLCs, CLCs, etc.)