This document provides the first comprehensive, in-depth review of the National Science Board (NSB), the governing board of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The report, which covers the period 1968-1980, includes a detailed picture of how the Board sought to define and exercise its role in policy matters (such as support for basic/applied research and science education) and in management matters (such as budget formulation, the agency's internal organization structure, and the Board's relationship to the NSF director). The Board is today the only prominent survivor of the concept that government science is best managed by giving such a board of part-time, outside advisors a strong policy and management role. For Congress, the fundamental question is whether the continuation of that role will best serve the national needs and interests in the future, or whether a modified or alternate statutory arrangement will be more advantageous for the country in coming years. The report, which has led to the identification 13 major issues of potential congressional concern (including NSB role, NSB role in budget process and basic research, attention to science education, policy versus management roles, programs approval function, and others), provides information and analysis to assist Congress in forming their views on that question. (JN)