Quality of life in the US is closely tied to the quality of educational opportunity. The ability of the country to enable access to quality education for all of its citizens beginning with pre-K will be an important determinant of the quality of life for all of us in the future. This issue connects directly with fairness in determining: who gains access, criteria for admission to educational institutions at all levels, financial costs to the individual to participate in the endeavor, and supply and demand in the work force.

Public Understanding of Science

There is a critical need for the public to have better understanding of the role of science and technology in American life. In a period of budget constraint, public appreciation of the benefits of research and education must be improved to have greater enlightened citizen involvement and decision making on a range of topics of public importance.

Balancing the Budget

At the rate the country is going with cuts in the discretionary part of the budget, it seems clear that a reduction in set-asides must be confronted by the government. This is a thorny issue for Washington. How this might be done and when it might be addressed are interesting questions to ponder.

The Government Performance and Results Act

This act is projected to play an increasingly important role in federal budget setting. It will be important to arrive at a mechanism that enables assessment and accountability of research that does not lead to "science by the yard."

AAAS at the Millenium Board Position Paper

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Response to Survey
Dr. C. Eugene Allen, Dr. Patricia A. Anderson, Dr. Richard Atkinson, Dr. Mary Ellen Avery, Dr. Dorothy F. Bainton, Dr. Allen J. Bard, Dr. Joost Businger, Dr. Barry Commoner, Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus, Dr. Joseph G. Gavin, Dr. Carroll Ann Hodges, Dr. Gerald Holton, Dr. Leon Lederman, Dr. William A. Lester, Jr., Dr. Simon Levin, Dr. Marcia C. Linn, Dr. Mike McCormack, Dr. Gerard Piel, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg