This document is comprised of two main parts: (1) Role and Nature of State Leadership; and (2) Developing Leaders. Issues related to state leadership for career and technical education (CTE) were studied. CTE-related research, policy, and practice were reviewed. State directors of CTE were surveyed, and 39 individuals considered opinion leaders in CTE, various stakeholders in CTE, and leadership development program providers were interviewed. The roles and responsibilities of state directors were identified. The main concerns cited by the state directors of CTE were as follows: reduced staffing; turnover; lack of vision and implementation; their role in organizational structure; multiple systems of governance; political issues; and inexperience in CTE. The following were among the study's 21 recommendations for developing state leaders for CTE: (1) request greater investment by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education; (2) develop content or curriculum for a leadership program from the work and emerging roles of state directors; (3) incorporate a leadership component in graduate CTE programs; and (4) seek corporate sponsorship of a leadership program for state directors and senior leaders. (The bibliography lists 37 references. The following items are appended: a list of the individuals interviewed; the survey instrument; and information about the Danforth Foundation Program, the Ohio Career-Technical Education Leadership Institute; and the National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education Leadership Institute.) (MN)