Across the nation, governors are leading reform efforts to transform their public education systems to meet world-class standards and the National Education Goals. In the midst of controversy about school restructuring, governors are faced with the challenge of defining a middle ground. The National Governors' Association (NGA) identified some of the most troublesome barriers to systemic reform efforts: (1) a lack of clear direction for school reform compounded by leadership turnover; (2) weak incentives for change, especially in urban districts; (3) a regulatory and compliance mentality that focuses on procedures rather than results; (4) limited and ineffective learning opportunities for educators; and (5) poor communication inside and outside the education system. In April 1995, the NGA convened a meeting with state and local policymakers, editors, and community members to discuss strategies for overcoming the barriers. This brochure summarizes the lessons from the meeting and NGA's ongoing conversations with governors' policy advisors and educators, offering guidelines for finding common ground in education reform. (LMI)