U.S. scores on international tests make great media copy, but what do they really mean? Some say they’re proof that American schools are broken. Others say that the crisis-mongering is overblown. The fact is, our students aren’t failing, but they’re not number one, either. Learn more about how the U.S. really stacks up internationally and what lessons these comparisons can offer. The documents below will help sort you sort out the facts.
More than a horse race: A guide to international assessments of student achievement.
At-a-glance guide to international assessments of student achievement
Criticisms of international assessments: Fact or fiction?
(Presentation) More than a Horse Race: How the United States compares to other countries and what we can learn from the results [Powerpoint] [PDF]
Archived Chat, "International Assessments and Student Achievement," Feb. 1, 2007
Global competitiveness fact sheet
Tables
Assessment Descriptions
Sample Test Items
