Reported is a review, conducted by an ad hoc Panel on School Science appointed by the National Research Council's Commission on Human Resources, of the three large-scale studies funded by the National Science Foundation and focused on science, mathematics, and social science education. The studies involved a literature review for 1955-1975, a national survey, and a series of case studies of the public schools. Following an introductory section, this document contains three chapters in which the three NSF studies are reviewed and compared relative to three questions: (1) What emphasis do science, mathematics, and social studies receive in the curriculum of the elementary schools; (2) What constitutes the curriculum in science, mathematics, and social studies in the nation's secondary schools; and (3) What factors currently appear to be adversely affecting the quality of pre-college instruction in science, mathematics, and social studies? The remainder of the document is an elaboration of six recommendations from the Panel. A summary and list of references are also included. (PB)