Project Summary: In 7 pages The TIMSS study began a comparison of educational achievement across countries. Since then, other assessments have been developed that are used in other nations to compare the performance of students within a country or with other countries. Through supporters and detractors, we have come to learn about performance from reports and research from other countries. In addition, educators have argued that both summative and formative assessments should be used in schools. Nations across the globe are reviewing the purpose of their schools, their standards, and their assessments. Can we learn lessons from these studies and from other nations that would help us build a better, balanced assessment system?