In this statement, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights assesses the potential effects on equal educational opportunity of the Reagan Administration's proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 1983. The statement briefly reviews the past federal role in achieving equal educational opportunity and then discusses proposals in the FY 1983 budget to change to block grants and/or reduce federal expenditures for specific programs in elementary, secondary, and higher education. The commission argues that the budget will diminish the federal role in ensuring equal educational opportunity. A lengthy appendix provides brief descriptions of programs that have helped in achieving equal educational opportunity but that are earmarked for either funding reductions or changes to block grants. Seven elementary and secondary programs are examined, including aid to disadvantaged children, civil rights assistance, and bilingual, handicapped, women's, and American Indian education. Thirteen higher education programs are reviewed, including educational opportunity grants, student loans, institutional development aid, programs for disadvantaged students, graduate and professional opportunities, land-grant and minority institutions, and migrant education. (RW)