This 18th annual national survey of public elementary and secondary school statistics presents data as of fall 1971 for each State, the District of Columbia, outlying areas, and for 20 of the largest cities. Summaries of trends are presented with the compendium of tables which constitutes the main body of the report. The survey provides current data on local school districts, enrollment by grade, high school graduates, staff, instruction rooms, buildings, schools, estimated expenditures, and average salaries of the staff. Data were furnished by State education agencies on three report forms, samples of which are appended. (Author)