A Framework and Principles for International Comparative Studies in Education

A FRAMEWORK FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF EDUCATION 1

The Value of U.S. Participation in International Studies, 1

Kinds of Comparative Studies, 6

The Measurement of Educational Achievement, 8

Long-Term Needs for U.S. Participation in International Studies, 12

   Timing and Focus of Proposed Studies, 14

   Values to Different Constituencies, 16

RECOMMENDED PRINCIPLES FOR APPRAISING PROPOSALS FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN EDUCATION 18

Introduction, 18

   Explanatory and Descriptive Studies, 19

   Quantitative and Qualitative Studies, 20

Relation to Education, 23

Relation to Other Studies and Information Sources, 24

Relation to Policy, Practice, or Understanding in the United States, 25

Attention to Educational Influences and Cultural Context, 26

Conceptual Coherence of the Research, 27

Research Neutrality and Involvement, 27

International Scope, 28

Personnel, Institutional, and Financial Capacity, 29

Technical Validity, 31

Sampling and Access to Schools, 32

Content Sampling and Design of Achievement Items, 34

Coverage of Performance and Higher-Order Skills, 35

Instrument Construction, 36

   Test Instruments, 36

   Background Questionnaires, 37

Test Administration, 40

Plans for Analysis, Reporting, and Dissemination, 41

   Analysis Plan, 42

   Level of Detail in Reporting, 43

   Standards and Criterion Levels, 44

   Special Reports for Nontechnical Audiences, 45

Data Audit and Evaluation, 45

Public Use of Data, 46

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF 48

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