Education in European countries has been characterized by a tendency toward decentralization and deregulation. The Dutch Ministry of Education commissioned the University of Twente to perform a comparative study of actual and future shifts in tasks, responsibilities, and authority in education in several European countries. This book presents findings of that research. The study also tried to provide more insight into the appropriateness of certain research methods in laying a foundation for structural comparisons of the Dutch education system with other countries. England/Wales, Flanders (Belgium), Lower Saxony (Germany), the Netherlands, North Rhine Westphalia (Germany), Portugal, and Sweden participated in the study. Data were derived from a survey of and interviews with a government department policy planning officer and one or two educational experts from each country. Following the introduction, chapter 2 provides a conceptual basis for deregulation and decentralization. Chapter 3 explains the rationale behind the selection of the seven participating countries and states. An overview of the existing decision-making structures of the seven countries and states is presented in the fourth chapter. The factual basis for functional and territorial decentralization, based on questionnaire data, is illustrated in the fifth chapter. Chapter 6 offers a detailed description of the present decision-making structures and the major changes that have taken place, based on interview data. Related policy issues from the respondents' perspectives are described in chapter 7. The final chapter presents overall conclusions, a methodological reflection, and recommendations for future international comparative research. Annexes contain an overview of the structure of primary and lower secondary education systems, copies of the questionnaire and interview guide, and a list of respondents. Fourteen tables and one figure are included. (Contains 31 references.) (LMI)