**How do international assessments (like PISA) influence national education policies?**
International assessments such as PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) significantly influence national education policies by providing comparative data on student performance across different countries. Countries often analyze their results to identify strengths and weaknesses in their educational systems. Poor performance can lead to reforms and policy changes aimed at improving curriculum, teaching methods, and resource allocation. The emphasis on obtaining competitive results may also encourage investments in teacher training and technology integration. Ultimately, PISA serves as a benchmark that prompts nations to reflect on their educational practices and strive for improvement in student learning outcomes.