THE CARTE SCOLAIRE IN FRENCH EDUCATION: A STUDY OF DECISION-MAKING IN A CENTRALIZED SYSTEM.

The carte scolaire (school map) has been developed since 1963 as a device for planning long term development of educationaL provision at the secondary school level, down to prescribing what specialist provision should be made in individual establishments. The carte scolaire is approved by the Ministry of Education on the proposition of the Rector of the Académie (the regional authority for secondary education) and after consultation with representatives of local communities and specialist interests. Information gained from official documents and interviews with practitioners is used to develop a detailed picture of this neglected area, and to assess the criticisms made by administrators and commentators. Particular stress is placed on examining the dominance of the technocrats, the boundaries within which the devisers of the carte scolaire operate, and the effectiveness (or otherwise) of long-term educational planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]