Israeli ninth graders averaged a score of 66% on a national examination in Jewish Heritage, Zionism, and Democracy last May, according to data collected by the National Authority for Assessment and Evaluation in Education.
NAAEE findings revealed little difference in scores between students in the religious sector and those in the secular sector. The largest discrepancy between the two groups was seen in Jewish Heritage scores; secular students averaged a score of 65%, while religious students averaged a score of 75%.
The exam, which is divided into three parts, consists of 100 terms concerning Jewish Heritage, Zionism, and Democracy. Over the past three years, weekly school hours have been allocated for teaching the 100 terms, although little improvement has been seen in scores.
According to Education Minister Yuli Tamir, the subject matter is not taught in a way that engages students, as they are only required to memorize the terms. “I have no doubt that if the students were to be tested two months after learning the material, scores would be even lower,” Tamir said.
“Education Ministry teams are developing different, more interactive, and challenging teaching methods,” the education minister said. She assured students would no longer be expected to merely memorize the hundred terms.
“We don’t question the content, and we are working towards strengthening Jewish Heritage, Zionism, and Democracy studies. We have already added weekly school hours dedicated to Civil Studies, and we’ve also added mandatory two-credit examinations,” Tamir concluded.