In fall 1989, the initial implementation of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) was evaluated. AHERA regulations required inspection of all elementary and secondary schools to identify any asbestos-containing building materials present; preparation of an asbestos management plan for each school; notification of parents and staff of the plan's availability for review; and training of school maintenance and custodial workers. The evaluation study focused on buildings occupied by K-12 students and employed a national statistical sample of 30 communities, in which 198 schools were visited and thoroughly inspected. Findings were compared with the original AHERA inspection as presented in each schools' management plan. The evaluation comprised six separate research areas: school building inspections; management plans; response actions; original AHERA inspection evaluation; notification; and maintenance and custodial worker training. Original AHERA inspectors had correctly estimated the quantity of each asbestos-containing material in 60 percent of the buildings. The report contains a glossary, an executive summary, and numerous graphs, figures, and tables. An appendix volume contains sample AHERA evaluation data collection forms, discussion guides and findings for staff and parent notification groups, management plan results, an EPA key elements checklist, sample correspondence, and information about statistical and technical methods. (MLH)