Israel's Education Minister Cancels National Tests Amid Dispute
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Education Minister Yoav Kisch has canceled the national "Mitzav" exams and halted cooperation with RAMA, the testing authority. This decision follows a dispute over the reliability of recent exam results, with Kisch questioning RAMA's methodology. An independent examiner appointed by Kisch found the results reliable and RAMA professional, contradicting the minister's claims. Kisch stated he would make further decisions based on the examiner's report.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Education Minister Yoav Kisch canceled the national "Mitzav" exams and RAMA cooperation.
- Kisch disputed the reliability of the exams' "poor" results.
- An external examiner, Ami Moyal, found the results reliable and RAMA professional.
- Moyal stated ministers should not alter the presentation of test results.
- Kisch claimed the report supported the ministry's concerns.
- Kisch previously halted publication of science exam results and sought RAMA director's dismissal.
Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced on Tuesday the cancellation of the national "Mitzav" exams, which assess students in subjects like math, language, science, and English. Kisch also ordered the Ministry of Education to cease cooperation with the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation (RAMA), the body responsible for administering the tests. The decision followed a contentious meeting where Kisch reportedly attempted to force findings from an expert review he commissioned to support his claims about the exams' unreliability. RAMA's Director General, Dr. Gal Alon, was not present at the meeting.
An external examiner appointed by Kisch, Professor Ami Moyal, had previously concluded that the "poor" results of the Mitzav exams were reliable and that RAMA is a professional body with unique expertise. Kisch had attempted to suppress these results, questioning RAMA's credibility after the authority presented the original data. Moyal's report, however, rejected Kisch's stance, stating that education ministers should not suppress or alter the presentation of test results to the public. Moyal suggested that any commentary or interpretation from the ministry should be issued separately.
Despite Moyal's findings, Kisch claimed the report supported the ministry's main arguments regarding the exams, asserting that the findings confirmed the validity of the ministry's concerns and necessitated a deeper investigation. Kisch stated that the results must be presented accurately for the benefit of students and that he would make further decisions based on the report's recommendations. Previously, in May, Kisch had halted the publication of 2025 science exam results for ninth graders, accusing RAMA of serious irregularities and misleading publications, and alleging that the authority failed to consult relevant ministry officials before releasing the report.
Moyal refuted these claims, stating that the bodies had jointly analyzed the results and reviewed data. Kisch had also approached the Civil Service Commissioner to request the dismissal of RAMA's Director General, Gal Alon, accusing the authority of making changes to the tests without coordinating with the ministry and alleging poor or biased work.
