The overview of West Germany's educational system emphasizes administration, organization, admission criteria, objectives, and career training programs. The document is presented in five chapters. Chapter I focuses on various aspects of planning for and administering elementary, secondary, and higher education, with particular attention to (1) areas of jurisdiction, and (2) functions of various planning bodies. Chapter II describes general education schools, vocational schools, and special schools for students with physical, mental, and emotional handicaps. Chapter III focuses on vocational education outside the schools. Topics discussed include on-the-job training, vocational training centers, home training programs, employers associations, and chambers of commerce. Chapter IV specifies qualifications for admission to institutions of higher education. Various types of examinations and criteria are identified, including those which apply to foreign students and hardship cases. Chapter V examines types of higher education institutions, including universities, teachers colleges, art schools, music schools, junior colleges, and technical schools. The document concludes with appendixes presenting curricula of various programs, tabular information regarding structure of the educational system, and listings of degrees offered in various disciplines. (DB)