In 1987-88, the National Center for Education Statistics conducted six major surveys that collected information on various aspects of the teaching profession. The surveys included: the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88), the Common Core of Data (CCD), the Recent College Graduates Study (RCG), and the National Survey of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF). This report draws from all of these surveys to profile America's teachers. It covers a wide variety of topics, such as the size and demographic characteristics of the teaching work force, teacher supply and demand, teacher education and qualifications, the use of resources in the school and classroom, teacher compensation, and teachers' opinions about various aspects of teaching and the teaching profession. Some highlights are as follows: in the fall of 1987 there were 2.6 million full-time equivalent teachers and 40 million students in the United States; 8% of the teachers were new to teaching, and 7% were returned to teaching after an absence of 1 year or more; 39% of teachers majored in general education for their bachelor's degree or associate's degree; a master's was the highest degree earned for 40% of public school teachers and 30% of private school teachers; 90% of public school teachers and 84% of private school teachers were employed full time as teachers; and the average scheduled salary for a beginning teacher with a bachelor's degree was $17,180 for public school teachers and $12,389 for private school teachers. Tables show data by teacher and school characteristics and in some cases also by state. Two appendixes provide detailed information about the various surveys and their sample designs, the overall accuracy of the estimates, and the statistical procedures used; and the standard errors for all estimates cited in comparisons and selected other estimates. (Contains 54 references.) (LL)