This paper is meant to highlight the occurrence of Simpson's Paradox when using aggregated data obtained from two IEA studies in Israel, while ignoring the effect of a powerful intervening variable in the local context--the ethnicity factor. It will demonstrate faulty conclusions regarding either the absence of relationships between a contextual…

This article reports findings obtained from a large-scale national study (299 schools; 2761 students) that examined academic achievements of immigrants in Israeli schools. It focused on two distinct groups of immigrant students--those from the former USSR and from Ethiopia, in two subject areas--mathematics and academic language (Hebrew), and in…

This article describes the "user-focused" evaluation of the new "Life Sciences and Agriculture" curriculum under current development by the Israeli Ministry of Education for rural and agricultural high schools. The four-step process involves: (1) clarifying curriculum objectives; (2) defining three classes of performance; (3)…

School-based evaluation, the focus of this article, is conceived of as neither a synonym for internal evaluation nor an antonym for external evaluation, but as a combination that is examined through a review of recent research. A school-based evaluation in Israel illustrates combining these approaches in a complementary way. (SLD)

The article examines the processes and challenges involved in conducting participatory research and evaluation in schools, by looking at a case study of a collaborative evaluation research that was conducted in a secondary school in Israel by two researchers and three teachers. It describes the experiences of the research team while conducting the…

Students were asked to record their three most noteworthy (peak) learning experiences at the end of each week for four weeks. Peak learning experiences of students enrolled in a new agricultural program were compared to those offered a traditional. Results indicate the new program induced more peak learning experiences. (BJG)

This study tested the validity and applicability of the Standards for Evaluation of Education Programs, Projects and Materials (Joint Committee, 1981) by applying them to four alternative methods of testing oral proficiency in English as a Foreign Language. (BS)

Unstructured and structured evaluation modes were used to probe teacher perceptions of a socially-oriented chemistry course for non-science majors. Students' assessments reinforced teacher perceptions. This procedure yielded information concerning course content, societal relevance, motivation, interest, laboratory and demonstration exercises,…

Focusing on the pedagogy curriculum of teacher education colleges in Israel, this study examines the influences of various curriculum factors actually implemented in the classroom as compared with noncurriculum factors. Data from 269 education students affirms the positive contribution of curriculum factors. (SLD)

To improve the testing of students' skills in performing laboratory experiments, 92 Israeli high school physics teachers participated in the development of a list of weighted laboratory skills. Sensory-motor coordination was found to be a significant measured factor. Factors affecting reliability were also noted. (GDC)

Evaluation of an elementary level science curriculum unit (MATAL) illustrates intensive evaluation. This method involves classroom observation by trained observers, formulation of course objectives, student interviews (ability tests), and lesson planning. It stresses the identification of learning difficulties which hinder attainment of course…

Because workloads frequently do not permit teachers to develop curriculum themselves, their participation in its formative evaluation (field testing) is a productive alternative. A seventh-grade biology program was evaluated by 14 teachers. (CP)

Whether a success-promoting assessment schema (SPAS) can be designed to have a positive impact on the mathematics learning of failure-experienced students was studied with 200 noncollege-bound students in Israel. Results suggest that the SPAS in conjunction with suitable curricular materials could support student learning by changing student…

Israeli "external" high schools prepare students for external matriculation examination, providing them with a second chance to retain the matriculation certificate necessary for higher education. A study of the degree to which these schools fulfill second chance hopes is described, focusing on the problem of goal definition in…

The extent to which student questionnaire responses reflect students' active behavior was studied through course attendance patterns of Israeli undergraduates, student completion of a questionnaire rating college lecturers, and interviews with 36 students. In this instance, the questionnaire did not reflect actual behavior. Explanations are…