This volume documents the response to the final report of the National Commission on Excellence in Education, "A Nation at Risk," at national, state, and local levels during calendar 1983. It is divided into three parts. The first part, "The Nation Responds: An Overview," describes national developments in education during this period and summarizes state and local efforts to improve education. National developments include an outpouring of public support for educational reform, reflected and reinforced by the press and broadcast media, and an enthusiastic response from the education profession and the business community indicating a willingness to sponsor educational improvement. The second part, "State Initiatives," consists of an alphabetical list of state "profiles," providing information on each state's ongoing efforts at educational reform. The third part, "Sample Activities," consists of brief accounts of reform efforts in selected local school districts, postsecondary institutions, associations, and private sector organizations. Among local school districts, samples are included of efforts to improve the content of schooling, the time allotted for instruction, teaching, and administrative leadership. Postsecondary institutions are listed that are attempting to strengthen working relationships with schools or improve teacher education. Each listing of local school districts, postsecondary institutions, foundations, business-school partnership programs, and other types of organizations concludes with the name and phone number of a specific contact person. (TE)