The educational system of the Netherlands is described, and placement recommendations concerning students who want to study in the United States are presented. After a consideration of the legal and financial bases of Dutch education and the country's educational structure, the various educational levels and types of schooling are discussed: preprimary, primary, and special education; secondary education; higher vocational education; teacher education; nursing education; university education; and international education. Guidelines are included on: stratification in Dutch education, Dutch credentials, examinations, grading practices, and conversion to U.S. units of credit. Placement recommendations are provided for each level/type of schooling. Appendices include a list of higher education institutions that offer programs recognized by the government as of 1983. In addition to the address, each institution is identified by educational sector and by the types of programs offered. Reproductions of sample transcripts, diplomas, and other credentials are also appended, along with a list of abbreviations and acronyms, a glossary, a list of references, and an index. (SW)