They intend to strengthen the content knowledge and pedagogical skills of their mathematics teachers, and create school-based teacher communities, led by master teachers.
Rishon LeZion is Israel’s fourth largest city, with a population of close to 236,000 inhabitants, located along the central coastal plain, south of Tel Aviv. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Israel, and is the third-youngest city in the country, as 31.1% of the population are children and teenagers, and 61.4% of all residents are age 40 or under. There are 17 high schools in the city, 12 of which are operated by the municipality, serving 2,500 students per cohort.In 2013-14, the rate of students graduating 5-unit mathematics stood at 16%, compared to the national average of 11%, a trend that has remained stable over the past few years. In line with national goals, the municipality has decided to dedicate resources to increasing the number of 5-unit graduates. They believe that a professional and high quality teaching cadre is the key to their success in this goal.
There are currently 136 mathematics teachers in the city, 54 of whom teach the 5-unit level. In discussion with the teachers, the municipality learned that they receive little on-the-job training, and many reported that they work in isolation and feel a need for more professional interaction with their peers. They also discovered an untapped potential in experienced and knowledgeable teachers of 4-units who are reluctant to teach 5-units, as they feel insecure, and lack appropriate mentoring by expert teachers.
With this in mind, the city has already began to work to address these issues. They have added two supplementary teaching hours per week for all mathematics students and host 25 study marathons per year for 11th and 12th grade students (120 hours each) in preparation for the matriculation exams. Since 2014 they have been participating in the “New Five” program of the Central District and the foundation, to open new 5-unit classes. So far, 75% of the city’s high schools are taking part in the program. Additionally, the city has partnered with Mofet Intervention program and is taking part in the Ministry’s ‘Advanced Science-Technology’ program, to open advanced-level science classes for 7th to 9th grade students showing aptitude for 5-unit studies.
Rishon LeZion is now proposing a comprehensive program whose goal is to increase the rate of students studying 5-unit mathematics from 400 students (16%) to 600 students (24%). They intend to do this by deepening the content knowledge and pedagogical skills of their mathematics teachers, and creating school-based teacher communities, led by master teachers. They have the support and commitment of the city’s school principals, who will be involved in the process and will encourage their teachers to take part in professional development initiatives. The program will include the following elements: