Quantitative comparative research provides lessons for educational planners and policymakers unrelated to theoretical labels. This point is illustrated by comparative education "solutions" to typical policy problems in developing countries: increasing access to primary education, expanding secondary and postsecondary education, improving…

Discusses the utility of IEA cross-national studies of achievement and its determinants, why some countries appear uninterested in such information, the comparability of achievement data between nations, how to improve the selection of input and process variables, other international research needs, and the role of national funding agencies. (SV)