To provide information for federal deliberations on the reauthorization of more than 50 elementary and secondary education programs, this report describes efforts by states to improve schools, examines trends and conditions in primary and secondary education, and analyzes options for changing the federal role in education. Following an overview of education and the federal government, chapter 1 of the report describes the purposes of federal support for educational programs and discusses the educational reform movement that began in the early 1980s. Chapter 2 profiles elementary and secondary education nationwide, focusing on trends in educational outcomes, school resources, and student and family characteristics, while chapter 3 addresses issues of the relative priority that should be given to equity and excellence in education, and the level of control the government should exercise over education. Chapter 4 describes options for reducing the federal role in education through the use of block grants that define funding purposes but do not specify states' implementation procedures, and chapter 5 discusses options for refining the current federal role through fully funding current programs, eliminating programs not directed to special populations, and focusing on early education. Finally, chapter 6 reviews approaches to promoting educational reform, including national curriculum and national assessment efforts, school-based reform, and modification of key elements of the educational system as a whole. (BCY)

Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.

Contains detailed information on the various appropriations and funds that constitute the budget and is designed primarily for the use of the Appropriations Committee. The Appendix contains more detailed financial information on individual programs and appropriation accounts than any of the other budget documents. It includes for each agency: the proposed text of appropriations language, budget schedules for each account, new legislative proposals, and explanations of the work to be performed and the funds needed, and proposed general provisions applicable to the appropriations of entire agencies or group of agencies. Information is also provided on certain activities whose outlays are not part of the budget totals.

Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.

Contains 1,412 assistance programs administered by 57 Federal agencies in agriculture, crime control, education, employment and training, health and human services, housing and homeownership, and science and technology. Chapters: how to use the catalog; agency summary; agency programs; alpha. index of programs; applicant eligibility; deadlines index; functional index; subject index; deleted and added programs; crosswalk of changes to program numbers and titles; program descriptions: programs requiring executive order 12372 review; authorization appendix; agency addresses; sources of additional info.; and developing and writing grant proposals.