For more than 50 years, our country has guaranteed students with disabilities the right to a free and adapted public education (FAPE). This promise, protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), ensures that every special education student receives an individualized education plan that helps them progress toward important goals based on their unique needs.

In Iowa, students with disabilities receive support in regular and special education classrooms. This work is the result of a team effort between local school staff and experts from the Regional Education Agency (AEA). Central Rivers AEA staff regularly work alongside teachers in schools, providing services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. They also help teachers improve their teaching methods, analyze student progress and provide necessary training. While district teachers provide the bulk of direct instruction, AEA staff play an important role in helping students reach their potential.

“Making progress” can look very different for each student, especially those in special education. For some, progress might mean learning how to open a milk carton, take actions on their own, or use a communication device to say “hello.” For others, it might mean passing a challenging math class. Each student’s goals are unique and their Individualized Education Program (IEP) sets specific goals for their success. Learning to read and do math is a goal for many, but the difficulty of these tasks can vary greatly. Standardized tests often don’t take into account the other valuable skills these students develop. That’s why our teams work hard to create plans focused on meaningful growth.

At Central Rivers AEA, we are committed to helping schools provide high-quality education specifically designed for special education students. Together, we work to improve outcomes and experiences for every student. Learn more at www.centralriversaea.org.

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Annette Hyde is executive director of special education with Central Rivers AEA, with offices in Cedar Falls,

Clear Lake and Marshalltown. She is also the special education services administrator at Keystone AEA, based in Elkader. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Central Rivers AEA serves more than 5,000 K-12 teachers in 18 counties in north-central Iowa to improve outcomes.

for more than 60,000 students.