After decades, the concept of "how to change the status quo of deaf education" continues to dazzle and frustrate us intellectually and academically. We want deaf and hard of hearing students to achieve academically and to thrive in the world as adults. Yet, too often, test scores and post-school outcomes remain unacceptably low. Our students lack the necessary functional skills to take advantage of resources that empower them to participate fully in the world around them. For some, changing the status quo feels interminable and tractionless. For others, it feeds creative juices and outside-the-box thinking. Systems change is certainly complex and demanding. The effort can result in academic and transition outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing students that align with their hearing peers throughout the nation. "A Retrospective Look at Collaboration, Commitment and Accomplishment: Building State Capacity" is about changing the status quo. It is a resource publication that chronicles the five-year journey made by 300+ professionals and parents wishing to create systems change in our country.