Summary

Question by question: every answer, grouped by stakeholder group, with an AI summary from the latest analysis run on top.

Question 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.

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

Only two responses exist, and the first (R01, Other) labels itself a test response to be deleted. R01 credits the behavior support team with helping a district keep a student in school. The one district educator (R02) named the lunch and a deli, which says little about programs or services. No substantive strength is confirmed by a real respondent yet.

Other (2)
  • We give people great lunch. I really love [a person]'s Deli.
  • TEST RESPONSE (please delete). The behavior support team is excellent; [a colleague] helped our district keep a student at [school name].

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

Both responses want ACES known for artificial intelligence. R01 (test) frames this as helping schools use AI well, alongside being the region's first call for special education. R02 (district educator) wants ACES known for AI innovation. This is the only question where the two answers clearly align.

Other (2)
  • I want them to be known for their innovation with artificial intelligence
  • TEST. Known as the region’s first call for special education and for helping schools use AI well.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

The two responses see different weak spots. R01 (test) says ACES is strong with students but weak at telling districts what services exist. R02 (district educator) says district outreach is a strength and that conversations with and support for families need work. In a follow-up, R02 suggested family nights focused on AI.

Other (2)
  • We outreach to lots of districts. Strengthening is the convos with families and what we provide families in terms of support.
  • TEST. Strong with students, weaker at telling districts what services exist.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

R01 (test) proposed one front door for district service requests, because requests get lost between departments. R02 did not name a change but said cross-agency collaboration is impactful and pointed to an admin retreat as a good example. The answers address different levels: district-facing operations versus internal staff connection.

Other (2)
  • I like when we collaborative come together across the agency. I think that is really impactful for us.
  • TEST. One front door for district service requests; requests get lost between departments.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

Both responses say in-person gatherings help. R01 (test) named superintendent meetings, and R02 named convocation. Barriers differ. R01 cites separate newsletters from each division, while R02 cites the venue's parking.

Other (2)
  • I like convocation, but we need a space with better parking!
  • TEST. Superintendent meetings help; separate newsletters from each division get in the way.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

R01 (test) named funding cliffs and paraprofessional staffing shortages. R02 answered only "Super intelligence!" without explaining it. Neither response describes how these trends would affect the agency or the people it serves.

Other (2)
  • Super intelligence!
  • TEST. Funding cliffs and staffing shortages for paraprofessionals.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

Both responses point to new services for districts. R01 (test) suggested shared HR and data services for small districts. R02 named professional learning, school improvement, and products or apps for districts. Asked which problem an app should solve, R02 answered substitutes.

Other (2)
  • With professional learning and school improvement and creating products/apps for districts
  • TEST. Shared HR and data services for small districts.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

R01 (test) said billing works and contracting approvals are slow. R02 values tactical meetings with a supervisor and wants to hear from ELC more often, specifically updates and expectations. One answer is about district-facing processes, the other about internal management communication.

Other (2)
  • i like having tacticals with my supervisor. It would be great if we hear from ELC more often
  • TEST. Billing works; contracting approvals are slow.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

R01 (test) listed paraprofessional pay and retention, AI guidance for districts, and simpler contracting. R02 listed parking, buying educational books, and a new laptop for a colleague to build more AI tools. AI is the only overlap. Neither response explained why its priorities matter to the agency's future.

Other (2)
  • Parking, buying educational books, buying [a colleague] a new laptop computer so [a colleague] can make more AI tools
  • TEST. 1. Paraprofessional pay and retention. 2. AI guidance for districts. 3. Simpler contracting.

Question 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?

2 of 2 answered

AI summary · 2026-10-15

R01 (test) offered measurable evidence: shorter placement wait lists tracked quarterly and lower paraprofessional turnover. R02 said success would look like people having fun with their work. Neither response described changes for students, families, or communities.

Other (2)
  • Having fun with the work you're doing
  • TEST. Shorter placement wait lists, tracked quarterly, and lower para turnover.