THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TITLE III OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF SCIENCE INSTRUCTION IS CONSIDERED. INFORMATION FROM THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION IS DISCUSSED. CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION INCLUDE (1) CURRICULUM, (2) TEACHER EDUCATION, (3) EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES, AND (4) STATE LEADERSHIP AND EVALUATION. THE STATE SCIENCE SUPERVISORS WERE UNANIMOUS IN THE VIEW THAT TITLE III OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT HAD IMPROVED SCIENCE INSTRUCTION BY PROVIDING IMPETUS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL TO EVALUATE AND MODIFY THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS. SUPERVISORS ALSO INDICATED (1) A GREATER EMPHASIS ON ELEMENTARY SCIENCE PROGRAMS, (2) AN INCREASING AWARENESS FOR NEW TEACHING APPROACHES, (3) INCREASED USE OF LABORATORY EXPERIENCES, AND (4) MORE EFFECTIVE INSERVICE EDUCATION. EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED THAT INDICATES THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT TITLE III HAS LIAISON BETWEEN LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES AND TEACHER PREPARATION INSTITUTIONS. (AG)