Materials presented in this document focus on the historical development of culture and politics and their effects on education in Poland. This document proposes that Polish education is affected by the societal pressures of socialization and change and that schools socialize children in the cultural and philosophical behavior patterns of a socialist society. However, schools also are instrumental in bringing about broader attitudinal, behavioral, and economic changes needed for effective responses to contemporary challenges. Therefore, Polish educational theories have developed to respond to both continuity and change. Chapter 1 outlines significant events in Polish history, and chapter 2 provides a perspective on Poland's social developments that explains changes in the structure of educational processes. Chapter 3 explores Polish educational traditions from an historical perspective, while chapter 4 presents information on recent educational structure and course content reforms. The current emphasis on technological education is highlighted in chapter 5, and chapter 6 presents a 142-item bibliography of English language materials on Polish education. Maps, charts, and tables are included. (JHP)