Skip to main content

The Academic Achievement Gap in Israel: Inequality in Education

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 1987 Accesses

Part of the book series: Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research ((GCEP,volume 11))

Abstract

The distribution of educational achievement in Israel is characterized by wide gaps. These gaps have been the subject of much public debate that has led in turn to some reforms designed by decision makers. Yet little prior research has been undertaken in support of these changes. The purpose of the present research is to identify the educational distribution (as measured by achievement gaps and level), and to investigate the gaps in order to reduce them. The Education Gini coefficient, standard deviation, and mean were calculated for the entire population of high school students and for various subgroups; Education Lorenz curves are plotted. The database contains nationwide student-level performance and students’ background features. From the subgroup analyses, we conclude categorization of educational distributions. Specifically, we came up with a clearer achievement distribution, where the educational gaps can be explained by ethnicity, origin, and residence. In order to improve the educational distribution, a different budget allocation is offered, based on the results of this research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Dahan, M., Mironichev, N., Dvir, E., & Shaye, S. (2002). Educational gaps in Israel: Have they narrowed? Nyar Emda series (Issue no. 2). Jerusalem: The Van Leer Institution (in Hebrew).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dovrat Committee Report (2005). The Israeli Ministry of Education (in Hebrew). http://cms.education.gov.il . Accessed 10 May 2008.

  • Holsinger, D. B. (2005). Inequality in public provision of education: why it matters. Comparative Education Review, 49(3), 297-310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, A.S.K., & Tang, K.K., (2006). Education inequality, human capital inequality and the Kuznets curve, CAMA Working Paper Series. http://cama.anu.edu.au . Accessed 10 May 2008.

  • Schütz, G., Ursprung, H. W., & Woessmann, L. (2005). Education policy and equality of opportunity. IZA Discussion paper No. 1906. ftp://ftp.iza.org/dps/dp1906.pdf . Accessed 10 May 2008.

  • Shoshany Committee Report. (2001). The Israeli Ministry of Education (in Hebrew). http://cms.education.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/3F2D67A5-0E18-4078-A0F7-D39A81F9FB8F/5660/doch_male1.doc . Accessed 10 May 2008.

  • Thomas, V., Wang, Y., & Fan, X. (2001). Measuring education inequality: Gini coefficient of education. Policy Research Working Paper 2525, Washington, D.C.: The World Bank. http://ideas.repec.org/p/wop/wobael/2525.html . Accessed 10 May 2008.

  • Thomas, V., Wang, Y., & Fan, X. (2003). Measuring education inequality: Gini coefficients of education for 140 countries (1960-2000). Journal of Educational Planning and Administration, 17(1), 21-40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Zanden, J. L. (1995). Tracing the beginning of the Kuznets curve: Western Europe during the Early Modern Period. The Economic History Review, 48(4).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Iris BenDavid- Hadar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hadar, I.B. (2010). The Academic Achievement Gap in Israel: Inequality in Education. In: Zajda, J. (eds) Globalisation, Ideology and Education Policy Reforms. Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3524-0_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics