stock here: I am astounded, especially considering the steady downward trajectory of educational outcomes. The equals about $4,400 per student, assuming that 65 million student are in public schools (that seems high)
Budget Breakdown:
Discretionary Appropriations: Approximately $79.1 billion was allocated for discretionary programs, reflecting a slight decrease of $201 million (0.3%) compared to FY 2023.
National Education Association+1Reuters+1
Mandatory Funding: The remaining funds were directed toward mandatory programs, including federal student loans and Pell Grants.
Houston Chronicle+1USAFacts+1Major Expenditures:
Office of Federal Student Aid: This office received the largest portion of the budget, primarily funding higher education aid programs like Pell Grants.
USAFacts
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education: Allocated funds to support Title I programs, which assist schools with high percentages of low-income students.
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services: Provided funding for special education programs and services for individuals with disabilities.It’s important to note that while the ED’s budget represents a significant federal investment, it constitutes a relatively small portion of total education funding in the United States. In the 2021–22 school year, all educational institutions in the U.S. spent approximately $1.64 trillion (or $1.84 trillion in 2024 dollars), with federal funding accounting for about 10.3% of the total.
Cato Institute
These figures highlight the federal government’s role in supporting education, particularly for disadvantaged populations, while the majority of education funding is sourced from state and local governments.