Options and suggestions for setting up successful study commissions were gathered from 10 commissions that had recommended revisions of state educational policy on a variety of issues. Composed of respected citizens from across the state, each task force was created by the governor or legislature for a fixed duration. Some recommendations for setting up a commission include: having a thorough knowledge of the state, prospective commissioners, the policy area addressed, and other states' response to that issue; setting a desired goal and focusing on manageable issues; appointing commissioners willing to commit adequate time, including some legislators if the goal is new legislation. Suggestions for commission operation and activities include selecting knowledgeable staff, the use of consultants, incorporation of the commission as a nonprofit organization, realistically relating the duration of the commission to issue complexity, setting the agenda and scheduling meetings early, establishing channels for input by interest groups, and anticipating the effects of media coverage. (MJL)