Stories from Five Countries.

This paper discusses accountability in Brazil's education system. The first section presents facts about Brazil's size, population, geographical features, and culture, and it briefly outlines Brazil's educational system. In Brazil, basic education through junior high school is compulsory. There are enforcement laws to keep children in school. All schools are accessible to anyone who has the appropriate education. The second section focuses on accountability in Brazilian education. Until the second half of the 19th century, the central government was accountable for education, though there were some private schools. There are currently three government levels of accountability in education: federal, state, and county. Private schools may operate as much as desired, provided they obey the general legislation. The federal government is the main provider of education. In the last 20 years, the private sector has been more and more involved in educational partnerships. The third section examines the role of stakeholders, particularly the government. The fourth section discusses changing and expanding the concept of accountability (e.g., more government involvement in the technical parts of education, enhanced government collaboration with the private sector, and private schools ' increasing independence from the government and use of educational technology). (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the or4ina1 document