National Differences, Global Similarities

David Baker is Professor of Education and Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University, and publishes widely on comparative education, the organization of schools, and sociology. Gerald LeTendre is Associate Professor of Education Policy Studies at The Pennsylvania State University, and is the author of Learning to Be Adolescent.

"TIMSS represented a quantum leap over previous cross-national surveys of education achievement. The United States and other countries wanted to provide high-quality data that could be used to compare their education systems beyond the initial "horse-race" results. Baker and LeTendre's far-ranging analyses offer clear evidence that this goal was achieved."-Laura Salganik, Director, Education Statistics Services Institute, American Institutes for Research "National Differences, Global Similarities is filled with cogen insights, counter-intuitive findings, convincing policy recommendations, and lucid predictions....Maybe Baker's and LeTendre's greatest accomplishment will be inspiring readers to think more deeply about seemingly well understood education topics."--Teachers College Record "In this collaboration with several colleagues, David Baker and Gerald LeTendre provide their readers with a lucid, thoughtful report and interpretation of several cross-national indicators....a major merit of this book is the many questions it raises, inviting exciting discussions in educational foundations classrooms." "Reading this book is like cycling through Tuscany on tree-shaded lanes-the ride is smooth, the going is easy, and the eye is repeatedly pleased by both great vistas and striking close-up views."-Contemporary Sociology