This report presents findings from research conducted and submitted to the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) to inform the design of a new leadership development initiative--an Early Education Leadership Academy (EELA) for administrators in State Education and other Early Learning Agencies (SEA/ELAs). Nationwide, state early learning administrators face complex challenges and expanding expectations. In addition to their traditional role of monitoring state and district compliance with state and federal rules and regulations, state administrators must now provide direct leadership to schools and districts with the intention of reducing achievement gaps and ensuring college and career readiness. Sharp shifts in organizational contexts are creating new expectations for how they should do their work--and with whom--and requiring them to acquire new expertise and skills. This study shows that targeted leadership training and supports would increase capacity of early learning administrators to succeed in the increasingly vital roles they play in advancing our country's birth through third grade reform agenda. (author abstract)