The failure of gifted education in Israel

Year 2023, Volume: 10 Issue: 3, 141 - 155, 30.09.2023

Hanna David

Abstract

Israel has offered free identification for giftedness test for all its students for decades. Since the early 70ies the financial burden caused by the programs for gifted students is substantial, but the results are very poor. In this article it is to be shown that neither the quantity nor the quality of programs offered to the gifted by the Ministry of Education justify their aspirations. In the last 30 years the achievements I all international examinations are low, and lately even deteriorated. Even students identified as gifted do not achieve as the top 5% of the world record students in international examinations. In addition, Israeli youths have won a low rate of international prizes. Many parents ae already aware of this situation, thus when their children are invited to participate in a gifted class choose to decline this opportunity. Israel has the highest rate of inequality in education among all developed countries. The fact that dozens of centers for enrichment gifted students are located in the periphery had not changed this situation. Quite often the Israel ministry of education sets new rules that prevent many high ability students from materializing their potential, for example, preventing high ability students from taking the matriculation examinations at an early age. In order to improve this situation research needs to be available, but research about gifted education hardly exists in Israel. There is lack of reliable research about the advantages of gifted classes in the long run. The best scientific, financial, and innovative Israeli achievements have been developed outside the education system. Computer science is the only subject learnt in school that keeps the economy of Israel ongoing, and has done so even during the covid-19 pandemic, but Israel has been developed as a high tech nation in spite of its education system rather than with its assistance.

Keywords

Education program for gifted, Gifted education in Israel, Gifted education policy, Identification of gifted

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