The educational system of Italy is described, and placement recommendations concerning students who want to study in the United States are presented. After a description of preschool, elementary, and middle school education, the different types of upper-secondary education system are considered (i.e., the lyceums, teacher training, and technical instruction). Vocational studies and adult education are also discussed, along with art and music education, nursing education, and seminary and Vatican education. The universities, university institutes, and polytechnics are covered, as are the Post-Laurea diploma programs, the higher institutes of physical education, and the "special aim" schools. Guidelines for U.S. admissions officials cover: the availability of credentials, experimentation and evolution in Italian education, grading in the secondary schools, and articulation between school and university. The placement recommendations concern: primary and secondary levels, art and music education, higher education, nursing education, and Vatican and seminary education. Information is included on: proposed reforms of Italian education; Italian universities' enrollments, library collections, student/teacher ratios, and library collections; special aim schools; military academies; and the nine types of technical institutes. (SW)