Analyzes educational decentralization trends and policies in Argentina and Brazil during 1990s, includes case studies. Discusses historical background and rationales behind "provinicialization" in Argentina and "municipalization" in Brazil; identifies commonalities, including centralization of curriculum and evaluation nonlocally. Argues 1990s decentralization focused on delegation rather than devolution, reflecting neoliberalism and other social changes. (Contains 91 references.) (KSB)