The inherent conflict of science and politics will be the subject of the second-annual "Bloody Crossroads" conference at AEI.

Amid rising concerns about America’s international competitiveness, increased attention has been paid to serving high-achieving students and to improving math, science, and technology instruction in K–12 schooling. Some proponents have been quick to suggest that this effort readily complements the No Child Left Behind Act’s emphasis on addressing “achievement gaps”...