This publication contains a brief description of secondary education in Poland. The first section provides an overview of the societal and political context in which the educational system exists. The second section discusses current educational issues, including policy formation, finance, the school role in the community, administration and organization, curriculum, evaluation and assessment, school staff, and Poland's relationship to the rest of Europe. Issues pertaining to educational efficiency and performance are discussed in the third section, with a focus on university enrollments and the need to reform vocational schools. The fourth section includes challenges, problems, and prospects, which include the promotion of foreign-language teaching, the modernization of teacher training, changes in syllabi, and the transformation of vocational training. One figure is included. The appendix contain 9 tables of educational statistics. (LMI)