US unveils its plan to cut federal funds for schools

The Reagan administration unveiled its plan to consolidate and cut federal education funding -- a proposal that gives local officials more flexibility but hits hardest at big city schools. Education Secretary Terrel Bell briefed reporters on the long-awaited measure, which would cut federal funding for school year 1982-83 elementary and secondary education programs from $5.4 billion to $4.4 billion.

The legislation will transfer responsibility for 44 programs to state an d local school officials.