This position paper was developed to inform U.S. policymakers of the state of science and technology education in the United States and of the importance of adequate science and technology understanding to the economic competitiveness of the country. Provided in this document are discussions of the national goals of science and technology education in the United States and policy recommendations regarding students, teachers, subject matter, pivotal grade levels, and geographic areas. This paper also identifies six measures from research which illustrate the state of science and technology education. These include: (1) international standing; (2) national trends; (3) trends by gender and ethnicity; (4) science instruction; (5) science teachers; and (6) geographic area. A discussion of the consequences of education policy concludes this paper. (CW)