It is imperative that to transform the national education agenda so that each and every child may succeed. Members, thought partners, and staff of CCSSO, have worked in collaboration to identify four areas of focus that will lead the systems change necessary for a true transformation of teaching and learning. Those areas are Next Generation Learning; Standards, Assessment, and Accountability; System of Educator Development; and Comprehensive Data Systems. After receiving feedback on initial white papers in each of the four areas back in November 2008, CCSSO presents this discussion document. The main purpose and intention of this document is to fuel discussion, establish a rationale for why CCSSO has chosen these four areas of work, highlight the connections among the areas, and outline next steps. The content contained in this document will be used to shape and inform CCSSO's specific programmatic work, advocacy agenda, fundraising efforts, and other communications materials. Contents include: (1) Introductory Letter from CCSSO Leadership; (2) Next Generation Learning (Linda Pittenger); (3) Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (John Tanner); (4) Creating a System of Educator Development (Kathleen Paliokas); and (5) Comprehensive Data Systems (Christopher Lohse). (Individual chapters contain footnotes, references, and tables.)