The development of the European single market and rapid technological changes have resulted in major economic changes in Europe and have convinced the governments of the need to upgrade their education and training systems in the face of economic globalisation. This book summarises the degree to which the common economic and demographic context and the common vocabulary have produced a convergence in education and training systems in chosen European countries (placed in the West, Central as well as East Europe), with particular reference to the last educational reforms. The significant resulting convergence in European education and training systems are outlined with respect to: levels of participation, public expenditure on education, governance and regulation, the primary and secondary phase of compulsory education, higher education and training, including lifelong learning.
