Every six years or so, reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 provides the opportunity for Congress--and the nation--to examine the current conditions and consider the future needs of higher education. While reauthorization tends to focus on funding and on "fixing" postsecondary education's most visible problems, the…

The predicted shortage of new scientists and engineers and the actual situation are compared, and the need to make changes in the training and flow of appropriately trained graduates is discussed. The scientific community is urged to reexamine how what it does fits into the complex of current and future social needs. (MSE)