The Advisory Council will convene to conduct a comprehensive review of the activities thus far, and to suggest directions for continued collaborative efforts. The discussions will be held on 12 and 13 November 2018 at the Djanogly Center in Mishkenot She’ananim, Jerusalem. Experts and partners are invited to the discussions, where we will present and analyze case studies, documentation reports and findings of evaluations.
For more information about the members of the Advisory Council.
Monday, November 12, 2018
08:30-09:00 Introduction and Progress Report (1)
Introducing the agenda and presenting the background and discussion questions.
Background materials:
- Working Paper for Consultation with Partners: Choosing Excellence in Middle School Mathematics and Science Education – Philanthropic Roadmap 2019-2024 (B&W printable version)
- Advisory Council Insights and Recommendations 2016
- Middle Schools in Israel – Background Data 2017/2018 – Keren Dvir
- The Trump Foundation from the Perspective of its Partners – Feedback from GPR 2018
09:15-10:15 The National Institute for Advanced Teaching (2)
Meeting with members of the joint team of the Ministry of Education, the Weizmann Institute and the Trump Foundation.
Background materials:
- Review and mapping: “How is Quality Teaching Promoted Around the World?“
- The National Institute for Advanced Teaching of Mathematics and the Sciences
10:30-11:30 From High–Tech to Teaching Initiative (3)
A meeting with leaders of the initiative and its partners for a discussion on the work plan and next steps.
Background materials:
- Cluster Evaluation: The Clinical Teacher Residency Training Programs – Manny-Ikan, Tal Berger-Tikochinsky and Gitit Dahan The Henrietta Szold Institute
- From High-Tech to Teaching: The Integration of a New Generation of Mathematics and Science Teachers in Israel’s High Schools – Leah Pass and Haim Lapid
11:45-12:45 “Cities of Excellence” Network (4)
A meeting with representatives of local authorities for a discussion on sustainability and continuity to promote and broaden excellence in mathematics and the sciences.
13:30-14:30 Intervention Models for the Periphery (5)
A meeting with the heads of national, collaborative, and local intervention programs to strengthen excellence in mathematics and science studies in the periphery.
Background materials:
- What is Needed to Promote Excellence in the Social Periphery – Anat Lahat and Rona Refaeli-Hirsch
- How to Expand the Circle of Excellence while Ensuring Access to Opportunity Insights from a US Study Tour, 2018
- Who vare the five-unit mathematics students?
14:45-15:45 Organizing for Excellence in Schools (6)
A meeting with school principals to discuss their role in expanding the circle of five-unit mathematics and science students.
Background materials:
16:00-17:00 Sustainability and Philanthropic Exit Strategy (7)
Meeting with grantee-partners to discuss their evolving relationships with the foundation once the grant to their organization ends.
Background materials:
- Grantee Perception Report (GPR) 2018 – Key Findings
- Sustainability and Continuity after Philanthropy: Insights from a US Study Tour, 2017
17:15-18:15 Top 15: Goals and Measures (8)
Meeting with experts to discuss the goals and measures of success in middle school in light of national and international indicators.
Background materials:
19:00-21:30 Top 15: Partnership Dinner (9)
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
08:30-09:15 Excellence and the Israeli Spirit – A New Book (10)
Breakfast to launch the publication of a book documenting cases studies about the Trump Foundation’s first five years
09:30-10:30 Top 15: Curriculum and Learning Materials (11)
A meeting with teachers and experts to discuss whether middle school curricula and learning materials enable achieving international standards of excellence.
Background materials:
- How to Smooth the Transition from Middle School to High School in Mathematics and the Sciences – Hadas Brody Schroeder
- Curricula and Materials in Middle Schools: Insights from a US Study Tour, 2018
- How the Sciences are Studied in Countries Around the World – Rachel Mamlok-Naaman and Ron Blonder
- The Structure of Mathematics Education in Middle Schools around the World – Michal Leibel, Hagar Lerman, Liat Atzmon and Dana Shulga-Raz
10:45-11:45 Top 15: The Organization of Learning (12)
A meeting with principals and teachers to discuss how middle schools cope with heterogeneity and promote excellence in mathematics and the sciences.
Background materials:
- How to Smooth the Transition from Middle School to High School in Mathematics and the Sciences – Hadas Brody Schroeder
- Excellence Tracks in Middle School Offered by the Ministry of Education
12:00-13:00 Top 15: Teachers and Teaching (13)
A meeting with teachers and experts to discuss the quality of teaching mathematics and science in middle school.
Background materials:
- How to Smooth the Transition from Middle School to High School in Mathematics and the Sciences – Hadas Brody Schroeder
- How do Mathematics Teachers Jointly Build Professional Capital in School: The Perspective of Teachers and Department Heads – Adva Mayzel
14:00-15:00 Top 15: Motivation to Learn and to Teach (14)
A meeting with teachers and experts to discuss the question of what drives students and teachers to invest and excel in middle school mathematics and science studies.
Background materials:
- How to Smooth the Transition from Middle School to High School in Mathematics and the Sciences – Hadas Brody Schroeder
- Motivation to Learn and Teach Mathematics and Science in Middle Schools: Insights from a US Study Tour 2018
- Factors Driving Student Success on the 2015 PISA Tests -The Results from Israel – Tzur Karelitz and Noam Keshet
- What do Parents Think of Middle School and of Mathematics and Science Studies? – Hagar Lerman and Liat Atzmon Hecht
- What Motivates Students to Invest and Excel in Mathematics and Science Studies in Middle School – Hagar Lerman and Liat Atzmon Hecht
15:15-16:15 Top 15: Call to Action (15)
A meeting with media experts to discuss the question of how to create a social movement around excellence in middle school.
Background materials:
- How to Smooth the Transition from Middle School to High School in Mathematics and the Sciences – Hadas Brody Schroeder
- What do Parents Think of Middle School and of Mathematics and Science Studies? – Hagar Lerman and Liat Atzmon Hecht
- What Motivates Students to Invest and Excel in Mathematics and Science Studies in Middle School – Hagar Lerman and Liat Atzmon Hecht
16:30-17:30 Envisioning the Next Steps (Advisory Council Members Discussion) (16)
Internal discussion of members of the Advisory Council to sum up lessons and insights, and offer feedback and recommendations to the foundation towards the next step.