The first section of this report presents an overview of the national response to the report of the National Commission on Excellence in Education, "A Nation at Risk." Responses from the public are cited in the form of quotations from leading publications and results of polls. Responses from the education profession and its national leadership are briefly summarized. Trends in the overall response to the report are noted, citing in particular trends toward optimism, renewed emphasis on parental responsibility, recognition that the school crisis is not simply fiscal, and a trend toward asking how performance-based salary schedules can be implemented. State and local initiatives to improve education are also pointed out. The body of the report includes: (1) initiatives reported by the 50 states and the District of Columbia; (2) examples of local initiatives in the areas of local commissions and study groups, checking local status against the recommendations of the national report, making changes in local policies or programs, gaining support for local schools, undertaking comprehensive planning efforts, and carrying out comprehensive reforms of school programs; and (3) sample activities of national associations and organizations. An attached supplement dated December 1, 1983 reports more recent efforts to improve education. (JD)