FOREWORD
In an increasingly global economy, making full use of all of the Nation's human resources is essential to successful
international competition, world leadership in science and engineering,
and an improved quality of life in the United States. Different
perspectives, talents, and experiences produce better ideas and
ultimately better goods and services to meet the needs of increasingly
diverse markets in the United States and abroad. We need to involve
all of the Nation's human resources in science and engineering
to stimulate creativity, innovation, and change; contribute to
the advancement of science and engineering; and foster a scientifically
literate population.
We need to encourage all of the Nation's
people to participate in science and engineering at each stage
of the educational process and in the workforce. Some groups-women,
minorities, and persons with disabilities-traditionally have not
fully participated in science and engineering. Progress has been
made in the achievement and participation of some of these groups
but not consistently or at the same rate.
This report, the eighth in a series of biennial
reports to the Congress, the administration, and others who direct
public policy, presents data on participation of underrepresented
groups in science and engineering. It also documents factors important
to success in science and engineering in precollege education,
undergraduate and graduate education, and employment. The data
and analyses presented here can be used to track progress, inform
development of policies to increase participation in science and
engineering, and evaluate the effectiveness of such policies.
Neal Lane
Director
