Understanding German elementary and secondary schools requires knowledge of political, geographic, economic, and social aspects of Germany. German schools have developed in accordance with the prevailing influences of their times. People and events, throughout the past 400 years, are discussed. The legal status of education in Germany is similar to that of the United States. The central government has no responsibility for elementary and secondary education. By tradition and law, German public schools are state schools. They are created, financed, organized, and supervised by the "Kultusministerien" (ministries of education) of the 16 states. The monograph includes three case studies that portray life in German schools. The case studies are based on personal observations, discussions with teachers, and documents available in the schools. The volume contains the following six chapters and subchapters: (1)"The Cultural Setting" (political development; geographic factors; economic conditions; social traditions); (2) "Bases of German Education" (churches, guilds, and cities; new humanism and "Bildung"; reform pedagogy in the 20th century); (3) "Modern School Organization" (primary education; elementary education; secondary education; school reform in the Former East Germany; establishing the "Gesamtschule"; vocational school, or "Berufsschule"; conclusion); (4) "Teaching and Learning in German Schools" (curriculum; instruction and evaluation; at the elementary level; at the secondary level; teacher training; school finance; school reform); (5) "Three Case Studies" (Ludgeri Grundschule; Max Planck Gymnasium; Hasperg Gesamtschule); and (6) "The Future: Problems and Promise" (current issues; promise). Contains 14 references. (BT)