A geographer responds to three themes found in the U.S. National Commission on Excellence in Education report "A Nation at Risk": (1) the return to basics theme, (2) the science and technology theme, and (3) the social science theme. The report recommends the adoption of "New Basics," which, in four years of high school, would include four years of English and three years each of math, science, and social studies. There are indications that the demand for geography as a basic school subject is prevalent today. For example, many schools have already added geography courses to their curricula. The report argues that education must be reformed to meet the nation's rising technological demands. Because all geography has a scientific basis, it has an important role to play in improving scientific and technological literacy. While the report recognizes the need for improvement in the social sciences, reform in this area was given second priority, with top priority going to math and science. Geographers are responding to this neglect by monitoring the state of geographic funding, participating in task forces, and increasing collaboration among geography professional associations. (RM)