There have been periodic changes to the types of councils defined as local education authorities.
The functions of LEAs have varied over time as council responsibilities for local education have changed.
[2] The councils took over the powers and responsibilities of the school boards and technical instruction committees in their area.
The metropolitan boroughs within London were not education authorities, although they were given the power to decide on the site for new schools in their areas, and provided the majority of members on boards of management.
The LEAs' role was further expanded with the introduction of school meals in 1906 and medical inspection in 1907.
[2] The Education Act 1944 changed the requirements for delegation of functions from county councils to districts and boroughs.
The population requirement for excepted districts became 60,000 or 7,000 pupils registered in elementary schools.
This however only lasted until 1990, when the twelve inner London boroughs assumed responsibility for education.
Schedule 1 of the order inserted in the Education Act 1996 a list of 'education functions' for the relevant local authorities.
[10] Local education authorities had some responsibility for all state schools in their area.