In response to the urgent national need to revitalize mathematics and science education, the National Research Council (NRC) has undertaken an examination of mathematics education from kindergarten through graduate study. Major studies are being conducted for the NRC, and this book, as a public preface to the work, outlines the seriousness of the situation and emphasizes how critical mathematics is for science, technology, and the economy. Sections included are: (1) "Opportunity" (stressing the importance of mathematics education); (2) "Human Resources" (dealing with the issues of minorities and teacher quality); (3) "Mathematics" (discussing the nature of mathematics and the mathematical community); (4) "Curriculum" (concerned with approaches to developing mathematical power); (5) "Teaching" (including teacher education, computer usage, and assessment); (6) "Change" (suggesting seven transitions of a changing process); and (8) "Action" (recommending leadership in the home, school, local, state and national levels). (YP)