Response 0570B2
Other · 2026-10-15
Seed questions
1. Organizational strengths
What do you believe ACES does exceptionally well? Consider the programs, services, relationships, or practices that make the greatest positive difference for those we serve.
TEST RESPONSE (please delete). The behavior support team is excellent; [a colleague] helped our district keep a student at [school name].
2. Future identity
Looking five years into the future, what do you hope ACES will be known for? What qualities, accomplishments, or contributions should define our agency?
TEST. Known as the region’s first call for special education and for helping schools use AI well.
3. Mission and impact
In what ways do you see ACES fulfilling its mission today? Where do you believe there are opportunities to strengthen our impact on students, families, educators, districts, or communities?
TEST. Strong with students, weaker at telling districts what services exist.
4. Opportunities for change
If you could change one thing about ACES to make the agency more effective, responsive, or impactful, what would you change, and why?
TEST. One front door for district service requests; requests get lost between departments.
5. Connection and belonging
What helps people feel connected to the broader ACES community, and what barriers may prevent stronger relationships, communication, or collaboration across the agency?
TEST. Superintendent meetings help; separate newsletters from each division get in the way.
6. Emerging challenges
What emerging challenges, trends, or changes do you believe ACES should be preparing for over the next three to five years? How might these affect the agency and those it serves?
TEST. Funding cliffs and staffing shortages for paraprofessionals.
7. Innovation and opportunity
Where do you see the greatest opportunities for ACES to innovate, improve existing approaches, or develop new programs and services to better meet the needs of our communities?
TEST. Shared HR and data services for small districts.
8. Organizational systems
Which systems, processes, or organizational practices currently help ACES operate effectively, and which may create challenges or limit our ability to achieve our goals?
TEST. Billing works; contracting approvals are slow.
9. Strategic priorities
If ACES were to focus on three major priorities over the next three years, what do you believe those priorities should be? Why are they important to the agency's future?
TEST. 1. Paraprofessional pay and retention. 2. AI guidance for districts. 3. Simpler contracting.
10. Vision of success
Imagine ACES three years from now, having made meaningful progress toward its goals. What would be noticeably different for employees, students, families, districts, and communities? What evidence would demonstrate that progress?
TEST. Shorter placement wait lists, tracked quarterly, and lower para turnover.
Follow-ups
Follow-up 1
Because you said requests get lost between departments and named one front door as your top change.
Thinking about a single front door for district requests, what would it need to look like to work well, and what would it replace first?
TEST answer, please delete.
Follow-up 2
Because you listed paraprofessional retention, AI guidance, and simpler contracting as your three priorities.
Of your three priorities (paraprofessional pay and retention, AI guidance, simpler contracting), which would you fund first, and what makes it the most urgent?
TEST answer, please delete.
Follow-up 3
Because you said ACES is strong with students but weaker at telling districts what services exist.
What would make it easier for districts to learn what ACES services exist, and how often would they need to hear about them?
TEST answer, please delete.
Follow-up 4
Because you said contracting approvals are slow and made simpler contracting a priority.
Where in the contracting approval process do things slow down most, and what change would speed it up?
TEST answer, please delete.
Follow-up 5
Because you named shorter placement wait lists and lower paraprofessional turnover as signs of progress.
What would a meaningful drop in paraprofessional turnover look like to you, and what would you want ACES to track alongside placement wait lists?
TEST answer, please delete.