While everyone was looking at PISA: the data Kisch released in the dark

The Ministry of Education published late-evening reports showing that only 3% of 9th graders met all science requirements, without coordination with RAMA. Minister Kisch ordered not to use the data until a review, but the Organization for the Rescue of State Education accuses him of trying to divert the discussion from the systemic failure.

The Ministry of Education published late-evening internal reports showing that only 3% of 9th graders met all science requirements in the 'Tnufa' (Meitzav) tests. The publication was made without coordination with the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation (RAMA), the professional body responsible for the tests. Education Minister Yoav Kisch ordered not to make pedagogical use of the data until an external professional review is completed, while casting doubt on the way the results were presented and RAMA's work processes. The Organization for the Rescue of State Education responded sharply, claiming that Kisch is trying to divert the discussion from the systemic failure, citing policies of class overcrowding, teacher attrition, and discrimination in budgeting for state-secular education. The organization called for an end to the 'era of excuses' and to make state education a national priority. The late publication, close to the release of the international PISA test results showing a collapse in Israeli students' achievements, raises suspicion of an attempt to bury hard data under other media coverage.

While everyone was looking at PISA: the data Kisch released in the dark