Annette Hyde.

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

In Iowa, students with disabilities receive support in both regular and special education classrooms. This work is a team effort between local school staff and experts from the Area Education Agency (AEA). Staff from Central Rivers AEA regularly work alongside teachers in schools, offering services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. They also help teachers improve their teaching methods, analyze student progress, and provide training as needed. While district teachers do most of the direct teaching, AEA staff play an important role in helping students reach their potential.

“Making progress” can look very different for each student, especially for those in special education. For some, progress might mean learning to open a milk carton, taking steps on their own, or using a communication device to say “hi.” For others, it might mean passing a challenging math class. Each student’s goals are unique, and their Individualized Education Program (IEP) sets specific targets for their success. Learning to read and do math is a goal for many, but these tasks can vary greatly in difficulty. Standardized tests often miss the other valuable skills these students are developing, so our teams work hard to create plans that focus on meaningful growth.

At Central Rivers AEA, we are committed to supporting schools in delivering high-quality, specially designed instruction for students in special education. Together, we are working to improve the outcomes and experiences for every student. Learn more at www.centralriversaea.org.

Annette Hyde is the Executive Director of Special Education with Central Rivers AEA, with offices in Cedar Falls, Clear Lake and Marshalltown. She is also the Administrator of Special Education Services at Keystone AEA, based in Elkader. She can be reached atahyde@centralriversaea.org. Central Rivers AEA serves over 5,000 K-12 educators in 18 counties of north central Iowa to improve outcomes for over 60,000 students.