Approximately one in four schools in the United States today is a private school. This handbook was designed to inform representatives of children enrolled in private elementary and secondary schools of the resources available to them through federal education programs. The handbook also provides useful materials to public school officials who administer federal education programs on behalf of children attending private schools. Chapter 1 provides background information on the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Non-Public Education, and the world of private schools in the United States. The second chapter provides information on the U.S. Department of Education programs, which are formula grant programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, that provide benefits to students attending private schools. Special initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education that are of interest to private school educators are discussed in chapter 3. Information on programs outside of the U.S. Department of Education are offered in the fourth chapter. Three figures and two tables are included. Appendices contain contact information. (LMI)