In addition to giving pertinent historical background, this document describes the current educational system in Sweden. Specifically described are reform efforts since World War II; responsibilities of the federal, county and municipal governments; features held in common by schools in the municipalities; organization and curriculum of compulsory and upper secondary schools; and structure and training of school staff. School administration and finance, curriculum, school year schedules, marks and examinations, and the organization of the school's work are described for both compulsory and upper secondary schools. Other features of Swedish schools discussed include the following: emphasis on practical working life orientation throughout schooling; bilingual programs for immigrant children; foreign language instruction; remedial teaching for children with academic or socially related school difficulties; free activity periods (sometimes organized within an integrated school day); students' option of delaying enrollment in upper secondary school; the right of employee organizations to influence school decisions; and the youth guarantee (which guarantees educational and vocational training for youth between the ages of 16 and 18 who are neither attending upper secondary school nor permanently employed). (CB)