Regardless of how voters cast their ballots in the 2010 elections, the nation will witness a sea change in state leadership--and, potentially, big changes in the direction of education policymaking. At least 20 governors will step down as of January 2011, based on those who are facing term limits or have decided to leave voluntarily. In all, gubernatorial contests will take place in 37 states next year. Significant turnover is likely among state schools chiefs, given that governors in more than a dozen states appoint their chief school officers, while in some others, governors appoint state board members who make the selections. Observers say the high turnover looming in state governance may complicate efforts by nearly all the states to develop and embrace common academic standards. It also may have implications for the promises states make on matters such as improving teacher quality and turning around low-performing schools in their applications for a slice of $4 billion in economic-stimulus aid under the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top Fund competition. Observers also say the impact of the recession, from which state treasuries are expected to be slow to recover, will make it difficult for candidates in most states to offer expensive new education programs, such as expansions of preschool or reductions in class size.