Mississippi Bend AEA

What Mississippi Bend AEA does

Mississippi Bend AEA (MBAEA) is one of nine Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEAs) established in 1974 by the Iowa Legislature to provide specialized educational services across eastern Iowa. Headquartered in Bettendorf with regional offices in Clinton and Muscatine, MBAEA serves 21 public school districts, 15 accredited nonpublic schools, and approximately 49,500 students across a five-county region spanning Clinton, Scott, and Muscatine counties and parts of Cedar, Jackson, and Louisa counties. The agency employs 294 staff and delivers services directly through embedded District Support Administrators assigned to specific districts; special education services account for approximately 80 percent of the budget, with the remaining 20 percent allocated to school improvement, media services, professional development, and early childhood programming. As a state-mandated government entity, MBAEA is governed by a nine-member board selected by local school boards and is not subject to commercial market dynamics.

MBAEA operates a portfolio of core programs spanning assistive technology, educator professional development, early childhood intervention, therapy services, and behavioral health. Headline offerings include the AEA Learning Online professional development platform, the Professional Learning Registration System, the Assistive Technology Loan Library, AEA Data Solutions (multi-district analytics), Early ACCESS (Iowa's IDEA Part C system serving children birth to three), Driver Education, AEA Purchasing (a statewide cooperative purchasing program), Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Social, Emotional, Behavioral Health (SEBH) resources. Specialized clinical services include school psychology, occupational and physical therapy, hearing and vision services, speech-language support, and autism/challenging behavior consulting. Technology infrastructure is largely composed of statewide AEA-developed platforms (Learning Online, AEA Data Team, AEA Purchasing) rather than proprietary commercial software, and there are no published APIs, SDKs, or AI/ML capabilities disclosed.

MBAEA is funded through state and federal education appropriations and is not a participant in commercial markets. Services are provided at no cost to partner school districts and families; the only direct pricing disclosed is for professional development courses, which are free to employees of participating districts and priced at $25 per training for non-district users. Graduate and relicensure courses carry separate course fees. There are no shareholders, parent companies, equity holders, or acquisition activity; the organization is a public educational service agency whose growth and scope are determined by Iowa state legislation and local school board governance rather than commercial strategy.

Name

Mississippi Bend AEA

Legal name

Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency

Website

https://mbaea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Mississippi Bend AEA is one of Iowa's nine Area Education Agencies, providing special education, professional development, and assistive technology services to 21 public school districts and over 49,500 students across a five-county eastern Iowa region via state and federal funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Education Eligibility & Evaluation Support (EDAKACAC), Special Education (IEP/504) & Student Support Case Management (EDAFAEAI), Compliance, Risk & Audit Support Services (EHS, Title IX/Clery Support, Policy Admin) (EDAEALAK)

Keywords

• Special education services
• School improvement support
• Professional development training
• Early childhood intervention
• Educational media resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Bettendorf

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As one of nine Iowa Area Education Agencies, Mississippi Bend AEA receives state and federal funding to provide special education services, school improvement assistance, media resources, and early childhood education support to public and accredited private schools. Special education services comprise approximately 80 percent of the AEA budget.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mississippi Bend AEA is an Iowa Area Education Agency that provides special education services, school improvement assistance, media and digital resources, professional development, and early childhood intervention to public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools across a 5-county region in eastern Iowa. Special education comprises approximately 80 percent of the AEA budget, with the agency serving 21 public school districts, 15 accredited nonpublic schools, and more than 49,500 students.

Product overview

Mississippi Bend AEA is an Area Education Agency providing comprehensive educational support services to public and accredited private schools across eastern Iowa. The organization operates as a multi-service platform offering Special Education services (comprising approximately 80% of the budget), Educational Services (Literacy, Math, Science, Professional Development, Teacher Leadership, Instructional Technology, Talented & Gifted), Media Services (Digital Resources, Lending Library, Print & Production), and Early Childhood programs. Key product offerings include AEA Purchasing (statewide cooperative purchasing), AEA Data Solutions (data analytics and decision support), AEA Learning Online and Professional Learning Registration System (educator training and certification), Assistive Technology Loan Library (device lending), Early ACCESS (birth-3 intervention), Driver Education, and specialized services including School Psychology, Speech-Language, Occupational/Physical Therapy, Vision/Hearing Services, and Autism/Challenging Behavior support. The organization also provides School Improvement consulting, Mental Health Supports, Screenings and Assessments, and Home School programs. The portfolio is unified by the mission to deliver evidence-based strategic services to educational partners serving Iowa's learners from birth through age 21.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early ACCESS Iowa's early intervention system (IDEA Part C) for infants and toddlers under three years old who are not developing as expected or have a medical condition that may delay typical development. Provided to families with young children in partnership with healthcare providers and community organizations.
• Screenings, Evaluations, and Assessments Child Find process to determine if children need special education services, identifying and evaluating children with disabilities from birth to age 21.
• Vision Services Part of the Statewide System for Vision Services providing vision specialists, teachers of the visually impaired, and orientation and mobility specialists for students with visual impairments.
• Hearing Services Audiologists, audiometrists, and Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDHHs) providing hearing assessments, accommodations, and hearing assistive technology for children birth to age 21.
• Autism/Challenging Behavior Support Autism Resource/Challenging Behavior Team providing informational resources and technical assistance for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or challenging behaviors.
• Assistive Technology Loan Library (ATLL) Short-term device loans to students (0-21) with IFSP, IEP, 504 Plans, or other accommodation needs, providing trial periods and backup equipment.
• Assistive Technology Any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
• Occupational Therapy Services Services to infants (0-3 years) with developmental delays and school age students (3-21) with motor or sensorimotor challenges impacting educational participation.
• Physical Therapy Services Services addressing motor and adaptive behavior domains including gross motor, mobility, positioning, and play/leisure skills for children 0-21 years.
• School Psychology School psychologists providing consultation, assessment for intervention, interventions, performance monitoring, counseling, staff development, and collaboration.
• Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Evidence-based multi-tiered framework to enhance social, emotional, and behavior supports (MTSS-SEBH), training building teams in data, systems, practices, and classroom management.
• AEA Learning Online Self-paced required training, relicensure courses, and graduate courses for educators, accessible through a web-based platform.
• AEA Professional Learning Registration System Registration system for licensure renewal, graduate credit courses, paraeducator certification, and substitute authorization training delivered face-to-face, virtually, or in blended formats.
• AEA Data Solutions Provides data analysis, database development, spreadsheet templates, report preparation, and solution development for districts to make data-driven decisions impacting student achievement.
• AEA Purchasing A statewide purchasing initiative of Iowa's AEAs that helps Iowa schools and other eligible entities save time and money through combined purchasing power and competitive bid processes.
• Driver Education Driver education program offered to students, available through the MBAEA driver education platform.
• Postsecondary Readiness / Future Ready Supports for college, career, and future readiness including data analysis, curriculum support, and opportunities promoting postsecondary readiness and success as part of statewide AEA PREP initiative.
• Home School Assistance Program (HSAP) Information and support for parents who choose to educate their child outside traditional public school settings.
• English Learners (Title III) Support Resources and support for schools and teachers serving English learners using research-based practices.
• Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program Support for districts and teachers in serving gifted students with differentiated curriculum responsive to individual pace, style, interests, and need for complexity.
• Mental Health Supports Mental health crisis support services including Your Life Iowa resources and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline referrals for students in need.
• Early Childhood Services Age-appropriate growth support during critical early years through coaching and collaboration with community partners, designed for families to implement in daily home routines.
• Hearing Screening Hearing screening services provided by audiologists and audiometrists for children from birth through age 21.

Quantifiable outcome

• 294 staff members dedicated to supporting students and educators
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iowa State LegislaturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1974The Iowa Legislature established Iowa's Area Education Agencies in 1974 to provide equity, efficiency, and excellence in education across the state. AEAs were mandated to provide special education services, school improvement assistance, media resources, and early childhood education support.
• Iowa Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education agency that oversees and regulates AEAs. AEAs work with the Department on special education compliance, school improvement, and state reporting requirements.
• Iowa Department of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Early ACCESS early intervention system (IDEA Part C) for infants and toddlers, collaborating to identify and serve young children with developmental delays.
• Iowa Department of Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Early ACCESS early intervention system, working together to provide comprehensive services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Child Health Specialty ClinicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Early ACCESS early intervention system, providing specialized health services and coordination for children with special needs.
• AEA PurchasingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide initiative of Iowa's AEAs that facilitates a voluntary purchasing program to help Iowa schools save time and money through combined purchasing power. A self-supporting organization that gives back through food rebates and funding of statewide projects.
• AEA Data TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative team that assists districts and educators with interactive database development, spreadsheet template creation, report preparation, and data analysis to support data-driven decision making.
• Iowa Area Education Agencies (Statewide Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBAEA is one of nine AEAs across Iowa that share a common mission, vision, core values, and goals. AEAs collaborate on statewide initiatives including AEA PREP (Postsecondary Readiness and Equity Partnership), AEA Learning Online, and AEA Purchasing.
• 21 Public School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner districts including Andrew, Bellevue, Bennett, Bettendorf, Calamus-Wheatland, Camanche, Central DeWitt, Clinton, Columbus, Davenport, Delwood, Durant, Easton Valley, Louisa-Muscatine, Maquoketa, Muscatine, North Scott, Northeast, Pleasant Valley, West Liberty, and Wilton receive comprehensive AEA services.
• 15 Accredited Nonpublic SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner private schools including All Saints Catholic, Assumption High School, John F. Kennedy Catholic, Lourdes Catholic, Marquette High School, Prince of Peace, Rivermont Collegiate, Sacred Heart, St. Joseph's, Saints Mary and Mathias, St. Paul the Apostle, and Trinity Lutheran receive AEA services.
• Scott County Regional AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed to the growth and development of the Assistive Technology Loan Library (ATLL), providing funding support for this specialized equipment lending program for students with disabilities.
• Riverboat Development AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed to the growth and development of the Assistive Technology Loan Library (ATLL), providing funding support for this specialized equipment lending program for students with disabilities.
• Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually ImpairedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Statewide System for Vision Services, partnering with the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Department for the Blind to provide vision services to students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Healthcare ProviderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical providers can refer children under the age of three to Early ACCESS. Together with families, healthcare professionals and AEA staff help children work towards physical or developmental goals through quick identification and evaluation.
• Iowa's Mobile Crisis ResponsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health crisis response service available 24/7 for students experiencing mental health crises. Mobile response staff can intervene wherever the crisis is occurring within Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine, and Scott counties.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Erie 1 BOCES: New York's Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) fulfill a functionally analogous role to Iowa AEAs, providing shared special education, instructional, and operational services to component school districts on a regional basis. Comparable in service model though governed by different state legislation.
• Region 4 Education Service Center (Texas): Texas Education Service Centers operate as regional intermediaries delivering special education, school improvement, and professional development to public school districts. Functionally analogous to Iowa AEAs at a larger state-wide scale.

Direct peers

• Heartland Area Education Agency: Iowa AEA serving central Iowa (Des Moines metro) under the same legislative framework. Directly comparable on services, funding model, and statewide platform participation.
• Keystone Area Education Agency: Iowa AEA serving the Dubuque area and adjacent counties. Operates under the identical statutory framework and shares the same statewide digital platforms (AEA Learning Online, AEA Data Solutions).
• Green Hills Area Education Agency: Iowa AEA serving southwest Iowa with the same statutory structure. Comparable on services (special education, school improvement, media, early childhood) and shared statewide platforms.
• Northwest Area Education Agency: Iowa AEA serving northwest Iowa with the same legislative mandate. Comparable on customer base (public districts + nonpublic schools), service portfolio, and statewide AEA collaborative platforms.
• Great Prairie Area Education Agency: Iowa AEA serving southeast Iowa with the same mandate and service portfolio. Direct comparable on funding model, special education emphasis, and participation in statewide AEA collaborative initiatives.
• Grant Wood Area Education Agency: One of the other nine Iowa Area Education Agencies, serving the Cedar Rapids region under the same statutory mandate. Operates the same mix of special education, school improvement, media, and early childhood services and shares statewide AEA platforms.
• Central Rivers Area Education Agency: Iowa AEA serving the Waterloo/Cedar Falls region with the identical statutory mandate and service mix. Direct peer on governance structure, funding model, and special education emphasis.
• Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency: Iowa AEA serving north-central Iowa under the same legislative mandate. Directly comparable on customer mix, service portfolio, and statewide AEA collaboration.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MBAEA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQMKSI85NbAZahXvdmV0Y1Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/missbend9
• Instagraminstagram.com/iowaaea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mbaea

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mississippi Bend AEA