Billions of education dollars are trapped each year. At this time of continued budget shortfalls when every dollar spent on education must yield maximum returns in student outcomes--states are frequently tying the hands of districts. While funding adequacy and equity must remain a priority for states, ensuring that limited resources are used as effectively as possible is paramount. States can use this moment of combined reform and financial pressure, to set policies and promote action that will create the right conditions for change at the local level. Education Resource Strategies (ERS) with EducationCounsel identifies four areas in which state policymakers can make a big difference: (1) Organizing People and Time; (2) Special Education; (3) State Funding Systems; and (4) District Data and Reporting Recommendations. (Contains 1 footnote.) [This paper was written with Elliot Regenstein. For the full report, "Restructuring Resources for High-Performing Schools: A Primer for State Policymakers," see ED541784.]