Iowa has nine regional AEAs that provide special education services, learning materials, professional development, direct services to children with disabilities, and more, to kids, families and educators across the state. The Iowa Legislature made major changes to that system in 2024.
School districts now have control over all of the media and educational services money that previously flowed to AEAs, allowing them to buy services from an AEA under the new “fee for service” model, from another vendor, or use the money for something else.
Starting this school year, districts receive 10% of the special education funding that previously went to AEAs, leaving 90% with the AEAs. School districts can use the money to buy additional services from their AEA or use it for in-house special education personnel…