Israel Halts Education Testing Authority Amid Data Presentation Controversy

Israel's Minister of Education, Yoav Kisch, has ordered a halt to the operations of the National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation (RAAMa) within the Ministry of Education, pending a resolution of identified deficiencies and improved working relations. The decision follows a review by Professor Ami Moyal concerning the "Tnuva L'mahar" (Progress Towards Tomorrow) tests, which revealed that the presentation of student achievement data may have misled the public. The review also highlighted shortcomings in the English proficiency exam and a significant trust deficit between the Ministry and RAAMa.

Professor Moyal's report concluded that the method of presenting student results, which focused solely on the highest level of performance, was problematic and could create a misleading impression. While the report did not find grounds to doubt the reliability of the tests themselves, it suggested that the way results were interpreted and displayed to the public did not accurately reflect overall student competency. Specifically, the report noted that the English test did not encompass all language skills, such as writing, listening, and speaking, and recommended a broader assessment framework.

The controversy erupted in May 2026 when the "Tnuva L'mahar" test results were published, indicating seemingly poor performance among Israeli students. For instance, only 22% of ninth graders reportedly achieved a high level in English, and 3% of ninth graders in science. These figures sparked public outcry, but within the Ministry, questions arose about whether the data accurately represented students meeting curriculum requirements or if the presentation exaggerated the situation.

Minister Kisch had previously halted the publication of these results and appointed Professor Moyal to investigate. While some criticized this as political interference, the Ministry maintained it was necessary to ensure data accuracy and reliable educational conclusions. The investigation confirmed that the way results were presented was flawed, but stressed that the underlying test data remained valid. The report also uncovered a deep trust crisis between the Ministry and RAAMa, stemming from disputes over data sharing, authority, procedures, and result publication, which has hampered the use of findings for educational improvement.