This volume traces the history of a collaboration between the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and China's National Center for Education Development Research. The collaboration, which began in 1988, was initiated to conduct a comparative study of education in the two countries through information exchanges and seminars. Initially, it focused on five major themes: autonomy and accountability, diversity, localization, curriculum, and quality and assessment. In 1992, two other areas of inquiry were added: reform of primary education and development of higher education in relation to technology. The book traces the history and accomplishments of the collaboration. In separate sections the book reviews the mission and functions of both the Carnegie Foundation and the National Center and the beginning of the partnership; notes the highlights, scope, and nature of the exchange activities from 1988 through 1997; describes a community college program; and assesses the impact of the exchange. Also included is a tribute to the late Dr. Ernest L. Boyer; suggestions for future American-Chinese exchanges; and a look toward the next century. Appendixes include a list of delegates to the yearly exchanges, and copies of the original 1988 agreement and the 1992 agreement which extended the collaboration. (CH)