Education Policy

History: Little Federal Funding or Control

Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education Percent ChangeElementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education Real BudgetElementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education Real Change

03,000

6,0009,000

12,00015,000

18,00021,00024,000

27,00030,00033,000

(3,000)

0

306090

120150180

210240270

300

(30)

19481950

19521954

19561958

19601962

19641966

19681970

19721974

19761978

19801982

19841986

19881990

19921994

19961998

20002002

2002

Dol

lars

Percent C

hange

Federal Spending on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational EducationFederal Spending on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education

Fiscal Year

History: Little Federal Funding or Control

The Education Gap

The Education Gap

The Education Gap

The Education Gap

The Public’s Response

Does Meritocracy Work?

Chances of obtaining a bachelor’s degree by age 24:

- 1 in 2 if from a family w/annual income $90,000+

- 1 in 4 if from a family w/annual income $61,000-$90,000

- 1 in 10 if from a family w/annual income $35,000-$61,000

- 1 in 17 if from a family w/annual income less than $35,000

percent of Americans earning college degrees with incomes less than $35,000: 6-8%

percent of Americans at top 146 colleges/universities from bottom quartile of the U.S. population (approx. $35,000 or less in annual income): 3%

percent of Americans at top 146 colleges/universities from top quartile of the U.S. population (approx. $90,000 or more in annual income): 74%

Does College Still Pay?