The French education system has a mixed record. A generally very successful preschool and primary school level contrasts with underfunded public universities with high dropout rates alongside very successful higher education institutions for elites selected in various ways. Initial education, especially secondary education and the universities, along with labour market policies themselves, does not always succeed in improving labour market entry for a significant proportion of young people. Parts of the management of education have been decentralised, yet educational institutions themselves generally have a very restricted degree of autonomy. The system of performance measurement and incentives, at all levels, needs to be reviewed.