During the 1980s, the issues that emerge concerning the public and federal interest in education will include the extent of education to be provided at public expense; the relative share of that fiscal burden to be borne by local, state, and federal revenue sources; public funds for nonpublic schools; equal access to education for all students; national performance standards; declining rate of growth in resources; and competition for funds among various social science programs. The capacity of government to maintain a balanced perspective with regard to these issues may be the greatest challenge. (Author/DS)