This book is about education system reform in Central and Eastern Europe, with emphasis on decentralization and management. In the past, local authorities served as implementation arms of the central ministry, while finance and decision-making were controlled by the central government, leaving local communities with little influence. New education laws in most countries of the region have altered this balance. A moderate approach may be the least disruptive short-term solution for societies undergoing socioeconomic transition. In 1997 the World Bank Institute participated in a research project to study intergovernmental roles in the delivery of education services in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania. Each country assembled a research team of academics, educators, and policy advisors led by an education specialist. Each team produced a report, which was discussed and revised during four information-sharing seminars, and they are presented here. The challenge these countries face is how to develop new institutions that can effectively enlist state, civil-society, and private-sector resources to achieve educational goals. This book should be of interest to educators and other readers interested in Central and Eastern European area studies. Its multidisciplinary methodology will also provide useful insights to development policymakers in other sectors. (RT)