What Do We All Have in Common? The Common Core in Israel’s Education System: Policy, Practice, and Vision
Around 500 babies are born in Israel every day. Imagine four of them, born to families from four different “tribes” of Israeli society: secular Jewish, religious Jewish, ultra-Orthodox Jewish, and Arab. At birth, they will receive equal treatment from the state. But when they leave the education system, what will they still have in common?
Israel’s public education system was largely shaped by the 1953 State Education Law, enacted during David Ben-Gurion’s tenure. On the 53rd anniversary of Ben-Gurion’s passing, we will convene for the conference “What Do We All Have in Common? – The Common Core in Israel’s Education System: Policy, Practice, and Vision” and ask: What common core does Israel’s education system provide for all its students?
The conference will present findings from the first stage of our research project and address questions that go beyond the familiar debate over “core studies”: What do Israeli students actually have in common, and what is common only on paper? What knowledge, skills, and values should form the educational foundation of every graduate, and how can we ensure that they are actually taught and assessed? Can we build a common educational foundation in a diverse society without giving up distinct identities?
Alongside the research findings, experts and representatives of different perspectives will discuss core curricula, their assessment, and the challenges of adapting curricula to a diverse education system. We will conclude by looking ahead at the opportunities and challenges involved in building a Common Core for the next generation.