This report presents comprehensive statistics on the organization, staff, pupils, and finances of public elementary and secondary schools in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the outlying areas of the United States. Detailed data are provided for the survey year 1973-74, as well as selected historical data that, in some instances, reach back to 1869-70. Some private school data are also included. Initial tables provide a historical summary of public school statistics and data on school administrative units at the state, local, and regional levels. Subsequent tables provide data on a state-by-state basis on the number of public schools and school systems, number of public school employees, public school enrollment by grade, school age population, average daily attendance, high school graduates, and school lunch programs. Concluding tables present state-by-state financial data for public elementary and secondary school systems, including data on revenue and nonrevenue receipts for public schools, total expenditures, current expenditures, capital outlays, interest on school debt, status of school bonds, value of school property, average salaries of instructional staff, and expenditures per pupil. (Author/JG)