A discussion of the nature and scope of basic skills training introduces a series of recommendations for the improved effectiveness of this training based on a survey of California community colleges. The first sections of this report discuss issues of community college responsibility for basic skills training, its priority as an institutional goal, credit, staff development, program evaluation, and requirements for demonstration of basic skills competency. The next four sections focus on computation, speech and listening, reading, and writing skills. Each section provides an introduction and philosophical rationale, survey results, observations and recommendations, and a list of references. Recommendations were developed in areas of personnel requirements and qualifications, goal determination, course offerings, placement and testing, proficiency levels, instructional approaches, evaluation, funding, and credit. The report ends with a summary of conclusions and recommendations, a discussion of legal and funding problems, and an overview of identification, assessment, instruction, reinforcement, and follow-up activities in basic skills training. A glossary, a list of exemplary writing programs, and sample survey instruments are appended. (Author/JP)