This work builds on existing resources that describe different governance models in states and identifies benefits and drawbacks of those models in different policy areas. In addition to updating those analyses, this project has involved a deeper study of the processes of governance change, identifying key questions states should wrestle with and providing better information about the tradeoffs inherent in answering those questions. In doing so it draws on early childhood systems theory, behavioral economics, and other education policy resources. It also focuses on identifying capacities that states may need as they consider how to move forward in their governance efforts. (author abstract)