Head of the class
Arab students score highest average math scores in country
In Nazareth, no fewer than 84 percent of last year's seniors scored at least 85 points on the five-point exam (out of 100). In the Haifa-area city of Umm-el-Fahm, results were similar: 81 percent of students received at least 85 points on the four point test.
Israel's matriculation system is complicated: students need 23 points to graduate from high school, and collect points by choosing levels of difficulty for exams in each subject. Exams normally range from three to five points, with some subjects offering matriculation exams worth just two points.
For example, students who are strong in language but weak in math can choose to take a five point exam in English or Hebrew, but might choose the four-or-three point math exam.The total points amassed will also impact a student's entry into university.
'Fantastic' results
Education Ministry officials said they were pleased with the results. Head of the ministry's Pedagogy Department, Leah Rosenberg, said the results were "fantastic."
"In the past, we had a pretty good idea of how each city would score (on the exam)," she said. "Now, we see that hard work can bring positive results, notwithstanding socio-economic realities."
