The developmental strategies adopted by Latin American and Caribbean societies need to acknowledge the key role that education plays and address the challenge of changing production patterns on equitable terms. This document is closely related with the final report of the third session of the Intergovernmental Regional Committee for the Major Project in the Field of Education in Latin America and the Caribbean. After an introduction, chapter 1 contains a review of the 1980s and stresses the fact that education systems have succeeded in maintaining their quantitative achievements at a high cost in terms of quality and equity. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 review the educational situation in relation to three main objectives: (1) 8 to 10 years' minimum schooling for all children of school age; (2) eradication of illiteracy and expansion of educational facilities for adults; and (3) improving the quality and efficiency of educational systems. The final chapter looks at the challenge that education systems of the Latin American and Caribbean region will have to meet in their future development and suggests three strategies for educational development. (CK)