In anticipation of the base-year survey of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88), a field test of the questionnaire and test items was conducted in 1987. NELS:88 is a national, longitudinal study designed to provide trend data about the critical transitions of young people as they develop, attend school, and enter the work force. The base-year NELS will survey a sample of 26,200 eighth graders from 800 public and 200 private schools. Follow-up surveys will be repeated every two years. NELS questionnaires include surveys of students, teachers, administrators, and parents; both biographical and attitudinal items are included. The student survey also contains cognitive tests in reading/English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Five states were selected as field test sites for these instruments. A number of analyses were conducted on the test items and the sampling procedures. Both classical test theory and latent trait theory were used to determine the most appropriate items. The field test also examined the effects of conducting orientations and ways of distributing parent questionnaires. Results generally demonstrated the appropriateness of the survey design, procedures, and instruments. Problems with specific items were reported. This report includes chapters on: (1) field test preparation; (2) student data collection; (3) analysis of student survey results; (4) parent survey; and (5) school and teacher surveys. The extensive appendices contain nine research instruments: Eighth Grade Locator Booklet; Eighth Grade Questionnaire; Tenth Grade Questionnaire; Twelfth Grade Questionnaire; Parent Questionnaire; Teacher Questionnaire; School Questionnaire; New York Supplement; and Summary of Cognitive Test Battery. (GDC)