Israel's Education Minister Halts RAMA Operations Pending Reforms

Israeli Minister of Education Yoav Kisch announced Tuesday that he is fully adopting the findings of a review report by Professor Ami Moyal concerning the "Tefutza Lemachar" (Momentum for Tomorrow) testing system. Kisch has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of the measurement and evaluation system, stipulating that RAMA (the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation) will cease its work within the Ministry of Education until the report's recommendations are implemented. This decision follows the recent publication of the Moyal report, commissioned due to a dispute between the Ministry and RAMA over the results of the "Meitzav" (Indicators of the Education System) tests.

The Moyal report supported the Ministry's demand to also measure basic subject mastery, but opposed retroactively altering test results in English and science. Regarding the cancellation of test anonymity, Moyal recommended a pilot program before establishing a policy, and also advised clarifying the division of authority and work procedures between the Ministry and RAMA. Kisch stated, "A national measurement and evaluation system is a vital infrastructure, but for its results to lead to real pedagogical and managerial improvement, a comprehensive systemic and managerial regulation is required. We cannot continue to work in a broken manner." He added, "Therefore, I am determining that until the recommendations are implemented, RAMA will not be able to continue operating as it has."

As part of the reforms, the method for presenting student performance levels will be revised. The highest performance level will no longer be the sole indicator of meeting curriculum requirements; a basic proficiency level will be defined, alongside other performance tiers and student achievement distributions. A comprehensive English assessment system will be developed, covering all curriculum skills including writing, listening comprehension, and speaking. The Ministry will also examine the test anonymity model, including the possibility of identifying students and linking results to them. Until a decision is made, a uniform message will be conveyed to students and schools, and a detailed technical report for each test will be published. The timeframe between administering tests and delivering results will be shortened to a few months.

Additionally, a multi-year plan for transitioning to digital assessment and integrating advanced technologies will be formulated. Test specifications will pre-define the level of detail for reliable reporting of results, and a regular professional forum will be established for pedagogical lessons learned after each test's publication. A joint steering committee comprising management from both the Ministry and RAMA will be immediately formed to develop work plans, approve procedures, make decisions, and remove obstacles. Professional liaisons will be appointed in both bodies, and the establishment of a national council for educational measurement and evaluation policy will be considered. The steering committee will also review and update procedures for test development and public result dissemination, defining responsibilities, timelines, and mechanisms for resolving professional disputes. Data, analyses, and reports will be transferred from RAMA to the Ministry according to set schedules, and access to raw data for research will be provided in a secure environment. Reports will be tailored to the needs of Ministry professionals and management. Kisch also announced he would advance legislation to regulate RAMA's status, professional independence, and working relationship with the Ministry. The Director-General of the Ministry of Education will lead the implementation and oversight of these recommendations.