A learning process to examine the mental skills excellence-track students need to persevere and succeed
When students enter mathematics and science excellence classes in middle school or the five-unit track in high school, they often face significant challenges. They are required to invest considerable effort in their studies, overcome failure and persist over long periods. These students are under substantial pressure and face high expectations from their parents, teachers, peers, and themselves. As a result, many talented students drop out along the way.
To help students in excellence tracks develop mental resilience skills that support their perseverance on these demanding paths, the foundation is developing a portfolio of programs in this area. These programs are being designed by academic R&D institutions specializing in psychology, and guided by a conceptual framework grounded in accumulated knowledge and practical experience.
At this early stage, to ensure scientific and academic depth in the foundation’s and its partners’ work, we approached the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The Academy is a nonprofit organization recognized by a special law to provide scientific advice in decision-making processes in Israel across various domains. Over the years, the foundation has collaborated with the Academy on critical issues, such as teacher leaders and artificial intelligence.
The Academy is now proposing a learning process during which an interdisciplinary scientific committee will be established to explore the question: What mental skills are essential for students in middle school mathematics and science excellence tracks and in the high-tech matriculation track in high school in order to persist and succeed?
The committee will include experts in psychology, sociology, economics, and education. It will commission background analyses and scientific literature reviews from Israel and abroad, hold three in-depth meetings, three broader learning sessions, and convene a conference for scientists, policymakers, and practitioners. The committee will conclude its work by publishing a final report and formulating recommendations for a research agenda and proposed policy actions.
* The text above shows the grant as approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors / Grant 629