This paper discusses public policies in Portugal that call for partnerships in education to provide preschool education for all children. Preschool education is envisioned as a first step on the path towards a strong, humane society. A new role is foreseen for the State, involving fewer direct services and less bureaucratic administration, but…

This paper discusses the preschool component of the Educational Agreement presented to the Portugal Parliament in May 1996 to improve the quality of the educational system. Among the 10 Action Commitments in the Agreement is the creation of a national network for preschool education. The context of the inclusion of preschool in this Agreement is…