International surveys have served as agents of change for the introduction of reforms in curricula worldwide. The Israeli Ministry of Education set a goal of raising Israel's ranking in international surveys so that Israel will be among the 10 leading countries in the Program for International Student Assessment and Trends in International…

Suggests introducing the periodic table theme for a junior high school chemistry course. Describes strategy to implement this approach with associated student activities. (DS)

Investigated the main concerns of teachers teaching the Israel High School Biology Project (IHBP). This program, implemented about 15 years ago, is an adaptation of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Project Yellow Version. Areas examined include how teachers perceive the program and what changes they would make. (JN)

An integrated physical science course of approximately 40 instructional hours for eighth graders is described. The materials and text were prepared in accordance with the overall program for secondary school science drawn up by the Israeli Ministry of Education. (Author/MK)

This study was designed to analyze the process of curriculum development adopted by developers in language arts, biology, and geography, in a centralized educational system. Specific objectives were to identify naturalistic models of curriculum development used in curriculum projects in Israel; point out relationships between contextual factors…

Describes the general features of a new, optional learning unit that was developed and implemented in Israel high schools. The unit, which focuses on physics in medical diagnosis, deals with real practical problems and does not replace traditional physics. (JN)

Although results of both formative and summative evaluation can be used for planning the next generation of a curriculum, a need exists for a third kind of evaluation, namely, Pre-Planning Evaluation (PPE). The purpose of PPE is to provide a database to curriculum development deliberations to assist in decision-making and to guard against neglect…

Following the description of a college organic chemistry course involving self-study and small group classroom work, summarizes five years of teaching the course (1976-1980) to chemistry majors. (Author/SK)

Investigates the opinions of 991 Israeli junior high school students with regard to their choices and preferences of science subjects. Findings show that preferred subjects were chosen both from school curricula and from having agents outside the school. (HM)

This study investigated the implementation of a 7th grade biology curriculum ("Animal and its Environment") in Israel. The curriculum has seven parts, each one with a dictated sequence including well-defined objectives, suitable activities, and assigned materials, with little degree of freedom for the teacher. A primary concern for the…

In the new biology-learning curriculum for Israeli high schools, known as Biomind, students experience "open-inquiry." This paper describes a qualitative action research project that was performed in order to investigate the characteristics of the open inquiry learning process. Specifically, the research investigates this process in…

Explains how curriculum materials of a modular course in high school microbiology developed for a kibbutz in Israel were disseminated to become part of the national science curriculum. The evolution and development of national and inservice workshops for science teachers to prepare them to teach this course are discussed. (MBR)

The intended, perceived, implemented, and achieved curriculum of high school biology classes in Israel was studied using a variety of data sources and research methodologies. The intended curriculum was identified by analysis of commonly used laboratory manuals. The perceived curriculum was captured by procuring the views of teachers and students…

Describes the adaptation process involved in modifying the outdoor biology instructional strategies (OBIS) project to the local environment and educational system in Israel. (HM)

Presents results of a study that examines the development and use of computer simulations for high school science instruction and for integrated laboratory and computerized tests that are part of the biology matriculation examination in Israel. Eleven implications for teaching are presented. (MDH)