This document presents the design, overview and general findings from the case study project funded by the National Science Foundation to gather data about science, mathematics and social science education in American schools. The case studies themselves, which constitute chapters 1 through 11 of this report, are contained in a separate volume. Chapters 12 through 19 are entitled: (1) The Various Aims of Science Education; (2) The K-12 Curriculum; (3) Pluralism and Uniformity; (4) Student Learning; (5) The Teacher in the Classroom; (6) The School and The Community; (7) Survey Findings and Corraborations; and (8) Knowing and Responding to the Needs of Science Education. (PEB)