Two years ago, the Center on Education Policy (CEP), an independent nonprofit organization known for its comprehensive studies of No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and related issues, began a research-based review of the federal role. As part of this process, the authors examined an extensive body of research from a wide range of sources. They also commissioned scholarly papers, held forums to discuss ideas, solicited advice from experts of various backgrounds, and reflected on their own long-term experience with federal policies. At the end of this process, they developed five guiding principles for reshaping the federal role and ten recommendations for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), particularly Title I. The authors' approach would keep aspects of the current federal role that have contributed to progress, change aspects that could be better designed or implemented, and eliminate requirements and programs that have not been effective. Simply put, their approach is tighter on the front end, with rigorous common standards and aligned assessments, but less prescriptive on the back end, with greater opportunities for experimentation accompanied by evaluations in states that adopt common standards and tests. Finally, they recommend adding new areas of emphasis to the federal role. Appendices include: (1) Papers Commissioned by CEP; (2) Compendium of NCLB Research; and (3) Studies That Informed CEP's Recommendations. (Contains 2 boxes.)