The document presents 14 essays designed to help art educators understand the nature and scope of basic education and what and how the arts contribute to it. John Goodlad presents a basis for considering the arts as an essential ingredient of schooling. A. Graham Down discusses the concerns of the Council for Basic Education and suggests that arts are linked with basic educational interests. Martin Engel illustrates the "basicness" of the arts by linking the development of language, cognitive functioning, communications technology, and contemporary life. Harry Broudy shows how the aesthetic experience gives expressive form to life, thus creating a foundation for cognition, judgment, and action. Elliot Eisner discusses conservative influences on the arts in education, while Edmund Feldman presents his case for the primacy of visual modalities in schooling using ideas from anthropology and linguistics. Vincent Lanier presents art as a validation of our social and cultural lives. Michael Day describes the limitations of the theories of child art and offers ways to expand those concepts. Kathryn Bloom discusses arts education as a catalyst for student motivation and performance, while Irving Kaufman states that art education should become a self-sufficient discipline. Diana Korzenik examines the ideal preparation of art teachers and Rogena Degge describes the afflictions resulting from narrow notions of what constitutes a good art experience. Thomas Hatfield encourages arts educators to examine their economic potential and political potency while Virgina Brouch and Judith Kula identify specific skills needed in arts programs. (Author/CK)