Biological and Earth Systems Science (BESS) is a two-year integrated biological and earth systems science curriculum for ninth and tenth grade students developed in response to the national and statewide dissatisfaction with secondary science programs. This report provides an overview of the program's history, aims, implementation strategies, evaluation procedures, and recommendations for program improvement. Also included in this document are: (1) a current draft outline of the National Science Standards of the National Research Council; (2) excerpts from the current draft of the Ohio Science Standards; (3) a speech entitled "Postmodern Science and the Responsible Citizen in a Knowledge-Intensive Era" by Paul DeHart Hurd; and (4) an article from The Science Teacher entitled"Biological and Earth Systems Science," which provides a closer look at the BESS program. (ZWH)