Difference between the 4 secondary schools Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, Gesamtschule?

As to the factual information, I agree with Melodrama completely; there is nothing to add. I disagree, however, with the conclusion. Many federal states (education is a local states' affair, not the government's) disagree with the government tampering around with local educational laws. They have proven to be fine for four decades; why tampering with them? And they're flexible enough that talented students may switch cles or even schools, and the less talented will have to go back to a lower-level school. I agree with the umption that all people are born equal; but I strongly disagree with the notion that all people are talented equal.