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French priority education policy was one of the measures taken in 1981 to fight against social inequality amid a context of decentralisation and increased devolution. It was also designed as a laboratory for the transformation of the education system. This unique affirmative action policy was at first conceived in response to extreme and limited educational situations, before becoming a trade-union project and then a political project. Between 1981 and 2001, three important moments emerged with regard to the drafting of regulatory texts. Alain Savary’s careful decision to bypass parliamentary debate revealed his pragmatism and his determination to introduce a policy of differentiation.