Since publication of "A Nation at Risk" in 1983, state and local expenditures for education have increased significantly, from $108.4 billion a decade ago to $210.4 billion by 1991-92. On average, per-pupil spending for 1991-92 was more than $1,250, or 30 percent, above the level required to keep pace with inflation during the 1980s. State per-pupil support increased an average of $95 per year above inflation through 1990-91. Similarly, local per-pupil support increased about $99 per year above inflation through 1989-90. In most states, the increased expenditures went toward higher salaries and to improve teacher-student ratios. Several factors influenced spending levels for different expenditures: strength of state and local economies, changes in enrollment, voter attitudes, school-finance legislation, and funding competition between schools and other social services. By 1991-92, state expenditures for education were lagging behind inflation. Local support, by 1989-90, barely matched inflation. Thus, if the findings of "A Nation at Risk" led to increased education spending, the effect either wore off or was overwhelmed by other factors. Included in an appendix are 10 tables on different aspects of per-pupil expenditure, state support, local support, instructional staff salaries, instructional staff-pupil ratios, and state cost-of-living indices. (JPT)