Response to 'Cautions on OECD's Recent Educational Survey (PISA)'.

In his recent paper, 'Cautions on OECD's recent educational survey (PISA)' ( Oxford Review of Education , 29, 2), S.J. Prais questioned the outcomes of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's PISA survey of the reading, mathematics and science attainments of 15-year-olds. Prais suggested that methodological flaws in PISA had resulted in an apparent improvement in the attainment of British students--particularly when compared to their Swiss and German counterparts. This paper responds to Prais's criticisms, noting that when Prais's conjectures are tested with empirical data they are not supported. Further it is noted that many of Prais's criticisms are due to an incomplete understanding and knowledge of the methodology of international studies, and of PISA in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]