The economic rather than the educational aspect of Brazil's Ministry of Education and Culture is presented in this historical summary. The study was done as part of Brazil's national program of educational reform. Brazil is currently re-evaluating its school system with the view of adopting a nationally-administered system similar to that in France. The report describes each section of the ministry, the program objectives of each division, and the relationship of the ministry to other agencies of the government. There are three volumes in the study, but only Volumes 1 and 3 are represented here. Volume 1 provides a general description of the ministry. Volume 3 outlines the department's future goals, organizational changes suggested, and under what constitutional provisions transfers are possible. Specific projects for reform are cited. An index of decrees and a bibliography are included. (DS)