There are sharp differences in the economic, educational and political conditions among the NAFTA countries. This paper focuses on the difference in cultural and value orientations in Mexico, Canada and the United States. Education is increasingly market driven, which poses a challenge in balancing the integration of education with international standards while still maintaining distinctive cultures. A conceptual model is proposed as a constructive approach for socio-cultural integration, and its educational implications are discussed. (Contains 3 footnotes.)