This issue of our journal is the product of a Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition (VMSC) conference titled, Programs That Work and held in March, 2000 on the issues of raising both the levels of success and the levels of participation of women and minorities in mathematics, science, and technology. Traditionally, these two groups have had low rates of participation in these subjects, and we believe this situation can and must be changed. The conference was to Coalition\u27s first direct assault on the problem