This report represents a first step in a voluntary cooperative effort among Federal and State governments and education associations to: identify the most critical needs for education policy information; assess the present capacity of the national statistical system to address these needs; and provide broad direction for system improvements. Thirty-six specific statistical recommendations are presented that are intended to provide a context for subsequent investigations of resource needs, feasibility, costs, burdens, and benefits associated with implementing the national education data agenda and the development of a strategic plan to improve the data system. The guide examines the nature and adequacy of national data in four major domains: (1) background and demographics; (2) education resources; (3) school processes; and (4) student outcomes. For each domain, the guide discusses the importance of the data for policy purposes, the nature and limitations of current collections and reports, potential strategies for improvement, and specific data improvement recommendations. This guide was developed by using a broad-based consensus building process by members of the National Forum on Education Statistics. Six figures supplement the text. A 67-item list of references is included. (SLD)