Grant amount
NIS 125,000
Study About The Contribution Of High-Order Mathematical Thinking Skills In The Matriculation Exam
Study on the Potential Contribution of High-Order Mathematical Thinking Skills to Success in the Five-Unit Matriculation Exam
Study on the Potential Contribution of High-Order Mathematical Thinking Skills to Success in the Five-Unit Matriculation Exam
In the past 15 years, the five-unit matriculation exam in mathematics gradually incorporated more in-depth questions that require deep understanding. These questions demand high-level mathematical thinking skills and are therefore considered very difficult. The Ministry of Education orchestrated this shift, in order to adapt to a change in perception of what mathematics studies in high school should include in the 21st century.
As Israel doubled the quantity of graduates of the five-unit track, questions are raised about quality. One can witness with please that the high level and spread of grades remained as in previous years. However, we do not know if there is a gap in performance between those students would have normally completed the five-unit track and those who joined in the past few years. We can assume, but cannot prove, that if such difference indeed occurs, then it is due to these tasks that require higher order thinking skills.
This is an important issue for practitioners and policy makers, as this gap may be a possible driver to begin instilling such skills as of middle school. Therefore, we propose to commission a study that will dive into the data and come up with insights. The study will be conducted by Dr. Boaz Silverman-Taskar of the Davidson Institute at the Weizmann Institute of Science and by Eli Kleinberger, an expert in educational statistics.
The study will seek to address the following questions:
The final report will be submitted by September 2020 and will be shared with the professional community.