The first chapter of this book describes the physical and cultural environment of Central America and includes analytical comments showing the complexity of the problems confronting the region. Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama are then treated in separate chapters including: 1) political, economic, social and ethnic background; 2) legal and constitutional bases of education; 3) administration of the educational system and the school calendar; 4) public educational finance; and, 5) an overview of preprimary, primary, secondary, technical, and higher education. Regional aspects of education in Central America include the educational activities of: 1) the Organization of Central American States; 2) the Confederation of Central American Universities and the Regional Organization of National Universities; 3) private universities; and, 4) outside sources of aid to regional development. (VLW)