DYNAMISM, FLEXIBILITY AND AUTHORITY – THREE CORNERSTONES OF MATHEMATICAL EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL

Abstract

The article analyzes the education system in the State of Israel. The aims and objectives of mathematical education in schools of Israel are considered, and the essence of its main trends at the present stage is disclosed. The purpose of public education is the development of a child’s personality, his/her abilities and creativity, the acquisition of knowledge in various fields of science, art and culture, and the provision of physical activity. The goals of public education include the teaching of universal values, the values of Israel and its heritage, memory of the Holocaust and heroism of the people. In Israel today, much effort is being made to ensure that the standards of education in the country are consistent with current trends in pedagogy. This applies to gender policies (gender equality is everywhere proclaimed), humanization of education, raising the level of study of scientific and technical disciplines (special emphasis on STEM subjects), as well as raising the status of teachers. A brief description of the curricula for mathematics and the main content lines of the school’s mathematics course at schools of different levels is given. The content of educational programs in mathematics for elementary, secondary and high schools has been analyzed. Specific examples of organization of teaching mathematics in schools of different levels and statuses are considered. Ways of realizing the positive experience of the education system of Israel for the organization of teaching mathematics in educational institutions of Ukraine is proposed. Given the creative use, it is advisable to consider: the autonomy of schools in terms of curricula and content of educational material; flexibility of the classroom education system on the basis of the normalized group work with students; the differentiation of teaching mathematics in high school at three levels of complexity.