Education Block Grant Alters State Role and Provides Greater Local Discretion

摘要

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 consolidated numerous federal programs into the education block grant and shifted primary administrative responsibility to states. States have to develop a formula to distribute 80 percent of their block grant funds to local education agencies, which have virtually complete discretion in deciding the use of funds. While states do not control the vast majority of funds, they have wide latitude in using the remaining 20 percent.