This report of the Basic Studies National Field Task Force is one of six reports by as many task forces on the improvement and reform of American education. The report begins with an introduction and alternative definitions of "basic studies." In section 3, the history of basic studies in American culture and education is traced as a prelude to a discussion of basic studies and educational reform in section 4. In section 5, of implementing change and educational reform are discussed; examples of successful reform projects are noted and briefly described in section 6. The seventh section of the report discusses basic studies in relation to teacher education. The eighth section stresses the need for continuing review of basic studies and their role in education. The recommendations of the task force include (a) the development of a national system of regional basic studies councils which will constitute the design and evaluation elements for specified Office of Education (OE) programs, (b) the provision of funds by OE or the National Institute of Education to permit those involved in basic studies to engage more regularly in the assessment and strengthening of the contributions of their fields to the process of education, and (c) implementation of joint agency planning to draw upon the basic studies in the design and evaluation of programs. (HMD)