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The report assesses the current role of women in the mathematics and science world, examines the underlying reasons behind womenıs non-participation in mathematics and science, assesses the success and failures of current federal gender equity in education programs, and makes recommendations for how programs can be altered to better address the real causes of gender inequity in mathematics and science.

• Chapter 2 examines the status of girls and women in science, both in the educational system and in the workforce, with attention both to where progress has been made and where progress has been limited.

• Chapter 3 examines some of the underpinnings of the relationship between women and science. The chapter looks at classroom practices and attitudes and how they affect girlsı experiences with mathematics and science, as well as how the socialization of girls affects their participation in mathematics and science.

• Chapter 4 examines science feminist theory and how this theoretical approach illuminates problems with gender equity programs.

• Chapter 5 examines current federal gender equity programs, with particular emphasis on WEEA and the NSF Program for Gender Equity. The chapter will focus primarily on the failure of these programs to achieve full gender equity for women in mathematics and science, arguing that the design of the programs prevents them from addressing the real causes of gender inequity.

• Chapter 6 makes recommendations for policy change to improve the functioning of federal gender equity programs.