Federal Support for Education, Fiscal Years 1980 to 1992

Book excerpt: This report attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of total federal financial support for education since fiscal year 1980 when the U.S. Department of Education became an independent agency. Six detailed tables in the appendix have additional historical data for fiscal years 1965, 1970, and 1975. Assembling data on federal funds for education is difficult because education programs are found in dozens of federal departments and agencies. To the extent possible, outlays, the actual amount of dollars spent, were used. Education funding is categorized as on-budget support, nonfederal funds generated by federal programs, and federal tax expenditures. On-budget funding for federal programs is generally set through annual Congressional appropriations. This report shows current and constant dollar comparisons. Data are presented in 13 tables and 3 figures. Additional technical information appears in the Sources and Methodology section followed by a list of definitions. Federal support for education is estimated to be $75.8 billion in fiscal year (FY) 92, an increase of 93 percent since FY 80. After adjustment for inflation, the increase amounts to 13 percent. Between FY 80 and FY 92, after adjusting for inflation, federal program funds for elementary and secondary education increased 3 percent; postsecondary education funds declined 23 percent; other education funds increased 51 percent; and funds for research at universities and university-administered research and development centers increased 48 percent. (MLF)