Grant amount
NIS 1,015,000
A Program Focusing on High Order and Applied Mathematical Thinking
Enrichment Program Focusing on High Order and Applied Mathematical Thinking to Increase the Number of Excelling Middle School Students from 11% to 22%
Enrichment Program Focusing on High Order and Applied Mathematical Thinking to Increase the Number of Excelling Middle School Students from 11% to 22%
Amal is one of Israel’s veteran school networks that serves students across 27 high schools, 20 of which also include middle schools, and are located mostly in the geographic and social periphery. In recent years, the network has been leading a variety of efforts in collaboration with the foundation to increase the number of five-unit mathematics graduates. As a result, the ratio of five-unit graduates grew from 7.8% in 2015, to 14% in 2018 (in comparison to a national average of 16%).
This is a remarkable development, however it seems that there is currently no more potential for further increase. In middle school, only 11% of Amal’s 11,500 students are assigned to excellence classes, mostly due to organizational and financial reasons. Typically, schools open only one excellence class for students who pass an entry test. Other students go to the regular classes, of which a few students attend mathematics studies in the high ability group. These additional students, that constitute 11% of the students in each grade level, are often capable of attending the excellence track but sometime lack the necessary motivation and self-confidence. Others are late bloomers and in some cases, their teachers do not believe they are indeed able to excel.
Therefore, Amal is now planning to focus on those 8th and 9th grade mathematics students who attend the highest ability group in mathematics, but are not enrolled in the excellence tracks. The network plans to build a special program for this ‘second circle’ of excellence – a program that would supplement their regular studies, and be offered as an addition, although as part of the school day. The program will take place in Amal’s 20 middle schools, over two weekly hours.
Its content will concentrate on high order mathematical thinking, aligned with the top skill level of PISA (levels 5-6). The Hebrew University will be enlisted to help develop 40 learning assignments and teaching material. In the first year, 10 teachers will develop the content, with close guidance from the university, and then pilot test it in their classrooms. In the second year, they will create regional communities for 36 teachers in the network, in order to bring the program to scale.
Amal believes that in order for the program to successfully assimilate in the schools, they need to prepare and organize very seriously. The school principals will need to be involved, to establish steering committees in their schools and appoint an excellence coordinator. The excellence coordinator will collect and analyze data on student progress and stimulate the school staff to work around it. Together, all excellence coordinators will form a learning community, to share experience and difficulties and discuss ways to work with the teachers.
The success of the program will be measured against a final test at the end of 9th grade, which will reflect the 5-6 levels of PISA, in which 22% of Amal’s students will succeed, both those who are enrolled in excellence classes, and those who will participate in this program.