This publication provides basic descriptive information about the 100 largest school districts in the United States and its outlying areas. Almost one in every four public school students in the country is served by one of these districts. They are distinguished from smaller districts by characteristics other than sheer size, such as average and median school size, pupil-teacher ratios, numbers of high school graduates, numbers of students receiving special education services, and minority enrollment as a proportion of total enrollment. The 100 largest districts employ 19.9% of the nation's public school teachers and account for 16.6% of the nation's schools and 19.2% of its high school graduates. Almost all of these districts encompass large cities, but only about half are confined to the city limits. Three states, Florida, Texas, and California, accounted for over one-third of these districts. More than half of these districts have over 50% minority enrollment. Current expenditures per pupil in the 100 largest school districts ranged from a low of $2,052 in the Puerto Rican Department of Education to a high of $9,501 in Newark, New Jersey Public Schools. This information is found in 10 basic tables, which are preceded by 3 text tables that establish the context for the information on the 100 largest districts. Appendixes list the largest districts, provide some identifying information, and list the districts alphabetically. (SLD)

Argues that the education system in America needs to make drastic changes in order to build a system of high-achieving and equitable schools that protects every child's right to learn.