International Cooperation from the Perspective of INEP Agents: The OECD and Brazilian Public Education, 1996–2006

Abstract

This chapter traces the recent history of Brazilian connections with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) related to public education, with an analytical focus on the National Institute of Educational Research (INEP), which has been serving as the hub for OECD-Brazil relations in education. While the OECD has a long history of promoting educational guidelines, assessments, and standards worldwide, it was only in the last decade of the twentieth century that Brazil strengthened its collaboration with the organization in this area. In 1997, Brazil joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)/OECD World Education Indicators Programme; in 1999, Brazil started to appear as a non-member in the OECD Education at a Glance reports; and Brazil took part in the very first round of Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2000. Based on interviews with key agents and the archival sources generated by early OECD-Brazil connections, the chapter seeks to contribute to our understanding of the significance and modus operandi of these interactions.