Israel's Education Minister Halts National Tests Amid Data Dispute
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Education Minister Yoav Kisch has stopped the "Tnuafa" national tests and cooperation with RAMA, the national testing body, despite a report finding the tests reliable. Kisch is demanding raw data for independent analysis, which critics say will allow him to influence results. A commissioned report by Professor Ami Moyal found no factual basis to doubt the test reliability but did criticize how achievement levels were presented and the poor relationship between the ministry and RAMA.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Education Minister Yoav Kisch halted the "Tnuafa" national tests and cooperation with RAMA.
- A commissioned report by Professor Ami Moyal found the test results to be reliable.
- Kisch is demanding raw test data for independent analysis by the Ministry of Education.
- The report criticized the poor relationship between the Ministry of Education and RAMA.
- Professor Moyal supported RAMA CEO Gal Alon's stance on not altering science test results.
Israeli Minister of Education Yoav Kisch has ordered a halt to the "Tnuafa" tests, formerly known as "Meitzav," and ended cooperation with the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (RAMA). This decision comes despite a report by Professor Ami Moyal, whom Kisch appointed to investigate his claims against RAMA, which concluded that the test results are reliable. Kisch stated he accepts the report's findings but has implemented directives not aligned with them, including a demand for raw test data for independent analysis by the Ministry of Education. This move would allow the ministry to influence test outcomes.
Professor Moyal's report, submitted the previous day, found no factual basis to doubt the reliability of the conducted exams. He supported RAMA CEO Gal Alon's assertion that the science test results, which showed only 3% of students meeting the required standard, should not have been retrospectively altered. Moyal also dismissed the claim that informing students their scores would not be personal negatively impacted reliability. However, he agreed with Kisch that the highest achievement level should not be presented as meeting requirements. The report sharply criticized the strained relationship between the Ministry of Education and RAMA, noting its detrimental effect on the ability to conduct regular evaluations of the education system.
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