ditorially speaking Less Must Do More Publication of the National Science Board's biennial report entitled "Science and Engineering Indicators" is required by a n Act of Congress. Started in 1972, this publication contains a broad base of data about U.S. science and technology and includes information on research and development, education, employment, expenditures, and ~ u b l i cattitudes. The information in "Indicators" is oRen the basis of new Federal initiatives to correct some perceived problem, such as the public attitude about science. Data in "Indicatorsl991" suggest that a slowdown in research expenditures has occurred in both industry and academia. Global political and economic changes that occurred from 1988 through 1991 have been accompanied by a reduction in Federal R&D expenditures (adjusted for inflation). Thus. the reuort sueeests that the scooe and compete& of the'researLh syst& in the United ~ i a t e swhich , some commentators describe as ''unmatshed in the world". has been adversely affected since the mid-1980's. On the international level. the total US. R&D exoenditurcscontinue to exceed, individually, thoseufits four cloxesl industrial com~etitors(West German. Javnn. the as of 1989 these United Kingdom, and ~ r a n c e jHowever, . four countries toeether soent 12% more than the U.S. on non-defmse-related ~&D'activit,es. Academic R&D continued to mow during the late 1980's. but it grew a t a slower rate than i t did during the fwst half of that decade. Major investments were made during the 1980's in research instrumentation (with support coming primarily from Federal agencies) and in the construction and refurbishment of research facilities (supported primarily by the institutions themselves). However, the financial problems reflected in tightened state budgets together with reduced income from various other sources by both public and private institutions have led to serious financial concerns for research universities. Indeed, many smaller institutions that decided to get into the "research game" are beginning to experience these pressures as well. Academic institutions are also feeling the pressure for lower indirect cost reimbursement rates on Federal contracts and grants. The drive for Federal cost-eontainment has been ostensibly triggered by perceived abuses in the overhead system, but undoubtedly a strong need for fiscal restraint is the primary cause. If it had not been the scandal of abuses that set off the overhead debate, something else would have. *Indicators-1991" continues to raise concerns about the quality and quantity of U.S. pre-college science and mathematics education and the attractiveness of science and engineering careers to U.S. citizens. I n international com-
parative achievement tests in science and mathematics, U.S. boys and girls score lower than their peers in many other countries, as discussed previously on this page. An exploratory study suggests that U S . grade-schoolers receive significantly less exposure to mathematics and science instruction in their early years than do their peers in countries which we consider our competitors. Undergraduate science and engineering degrees continue their lone. eradual decline as a share of all deerees awarded. A smal
