The role and activities of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' (AASCU) Task Force on Excellence are identified. Functions of the Task Force are to assist AASCU members in: (1) evaluating and improving teacher preparation programs; (2) reviewing and evaluating recommendations contained in recent studies dealing with America's school system; (3) identifying issues that might be of particular concern to AASCU institutions and their constituents; (4) developing teaching/learning strategies designed to achieve excellence in education, in partnership with other public schools and institutions; (5) disseminating information on reforms to the public and to special audiences; (6) working with state officials and national agencies to form policies within states that will promote educational excellence; (7) assessing the effectiveness of educational reforms through periodic AASCU-sponsored regional and national conferences; and (8) co-sponsoring programs designed to assure continued access to educational opportunity for the disadvantaged. Activities projected for the Task Force concern preparation of policy statements, technical assistance to member colleges, and promoting collaboration among colleges, schools, and agencies. The 1983-1984 Task Force action plan is included. (SW)