The fed. gov't. has spent billions of dollars on educ. programs in the science, tech., engin., & math (STEM) fields for many years. However, concerns have been raised about the nation's ability to maintain its global technological competitive advantage in the future. This report presents info. on: the number of fed. prog. funded in FY 2004 that were designed to increase the number of students & graduates pursuing STEM degrees & occupations or improve educ. progress in STEM fields, & what agencies report about their effectiveness; how the number, percentages, & character. of students, grad., & employees in STEM fields have changed over the years'; & factors cited as affecting students' decisions about pursing STEM degrees. Charts & tables.