Education is one of the key foundations for maintaining social cohesion and ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to realize their potential and participate fully in life in the 21st century. The ongoing public debate around the differences between the different factions of the Israeli public education system and the extent of core curriculum studies in various schools is closely linked to the diversity within Israeli society and to the differing worldviews of secular, religious, ultra-Orthodox, and Arab communities regarding the state’s future and its values.
The “Shared Core in the Education System” project examines the knowledge, skills, and competencies that the state provides its citizens through the public education system. The project investigates multiple dimensions of the system: legal requirements (the de jure situation), actual implementation in schools (the de facto situation), and proposed educational reforms (vision documents). In addition, the project includes a review of documents describing national education frameworks in various countries worldwide.
The goal of the project is to develop a research-based policy document that outlines possible directions for strengthening and developing all streams of public education in Israel, and that can serve as a basis for continued public discussion on the importance of maintaining social cohesion and ensuring equal opportunities for every student in Israel.
