The sampling procedures and results of data collection are documented for the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) base-year survey of eighth graders, which was conducted during the winter, spring, and summer of 1988. This abridged version of the 1989 contractor report does not report any information that could violate the confidentiality requirements of Public Law 100-297. It is designed to be a companion to separately published users' manuals for the NELS:88 Base Year Data Files. The target population consisted of all public and private schools with eighth grades in the United States. Excluded were students with severe mental, emotional, or physical handicaps, and those without sufficient command of English to complete the survey materials. The survey used a two-stage stratified, clustered sample design, with responses from about 69% of the 1,057 targeted schools and about 93% of the 24,599 students who were contacted. This report reviews: (1) the NELS:88 study background and purpose; (2) sample design and implementation; (3) sample weights; (4) school and item non-response data; and (5) standard errors and design effects. Eighteen tables and two figures contain data from the study. Three appendices contain the standard errors and design effects for the student, parent, and school questionnaire data tabulated for all schools; males; females; Asians; Hispanics; Blacks; Whites and others; public schools; Catholic schools; other private schools; and students of low, middle, and high socioeconomic status. (SLD)