The history and structure of education in the Netherlands, the relationship of that structure to educational systems in selected other countries, and the current status of educational innovation in the Netherlands are the major topics of this paper. The author discusses briefly the development of national educational policy, the place of private education, and the roles of national, provincial, and municipal governments in administering and funding different parts of the system. He next describes the characteristics of and legal foundations for the different levels of the educational structure: nursery, primary, special, secondary (including pre-university, general, and several vocational programs), and higher education (including both universities and advanced vocational institutions). Brief descriptions of the educational systems of the United States, England and Wales, Sweden, and the Soviet Union are provided, and major differencs between the Dutch system and those of the other countries are analyzed. Arguing that significant change is needed, the author concludes with a discussion of innovative trends in Dutch educational thought, noting in particular the implications of changes proposed by the current Minister of Education. A brief description of the Netherlands' Educational Research Institute in the North (RION) is appended. (PGD)