Education interest groups spent nearly $18 million less on lobbying in 2012 than they did in 2011, according to OpenSecrets’ blog. 

Lobbying spending in general declined last year, but no other advocacy group experienced a downturn as steep.

Education groups spent just $88.6 million last year. The education industry hit its lobbying all-time high in 2010, when it spent roughly $108 million. 

The industry includes for-profit and nonprofit colleges and universities and other trade associations. 

Read the full story here. 

— Alia Wong