Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Summary and Background Information

Overview & Synopsis

The 2006 U.S. President's budget request of $56.0 billion in discretionary appropriations for the Department of Education (ED), represents a decrease of $529.6 million, or 0.9 percent, from the 2005 level. Even after this small decrease, the Federal investment in education will have grown substantially over the past five years, with discretionary appropriations rising by $13.8 billion since fiscal year 2001, or nearly 33 percent. This report presents funding levels and budget justifications for discretionary and mandatory programs and presents departmental management guidelines. The following sections are included in this document: (1) Summary of the 2006 Budget; (2) The 2006 Education Budget by Program Area; (3) Programs Proposed for Elimination; and (4) Departmental Management. The following are appended: (1) Summary of Discretionary Funds, Fiscal Year 2001-2006; (2) PART Rating of ED Programs; (3) Total Expenditures for Elementary and Secondary Education in the United States; and (4) Detailed Budget Table by Program.