The path to academic excellence

"The PISA [Program for International Student Assessment] tests are supposed to predict economic success, but here we stand, with an economy that is thought to be advanced and academic achievements that are considered low -- how do you explain this-"

This was how I chose to pick Andreas Schleicher's brain -- with typical Israeli chutzpah. Schleicher, aptly named the "education minister of the world" is the head of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's PISA testing. Schleicher, who already knew Israel's results on the latest tests, was in Jerusalem a few weeks ago for an international conference of education ministers.

"You don't have more talent than other countries," he answered with a smile and skeptical cynicism, but also full of meaning. He immediately added: "But I checked it thoroughly, and I think your secret is knowing how to take advantage of talent better than many others."

I told him proudly about how the highest level of our high school mathematics matriculation exams are unmatched. I told him about the way the army attracts talented students to special units. I told him about our startup nation, which takes them all the way to making an exit.

"Indeed, we see evidence of this in tests we conduct on adults," he said. "As opposed to many countries in the world, in Israel outstanding math students succeed in life. They work in fields that utilize their skills and their salaries are relatively high."

This reminded me of a long-term study done by the Taub Center for Israel Studies that found that students who complete the highest-level matriculation in math go on to earn substantially more than students who matriculate at the next level down.

"That is your relative advantage," Schleicher said. "Use it when you see the results of PISA 2015, because you have a massive opportunity to go truly go far."

I raised an eyebrow in disbelief, because I suspected this was a polite European way to say we have extraordinarily tough challenges ahead. "Imagine where Israel may go if you only expand the circle of Israeli excellence and incorporate it with your special innovative spirit," he added.

When I saw the results of the PISA tests yesterday and the abysmal gaps between us and other countries, I was reminded of what he told me. For some reason, closing the gaps has always been taken to mean helping weaker students accomplish the minimum. This is why we suggested making due with minimum matriculation levels in communities on the periphery. In communities in central Israel, however, strong students were directed toward the highest matriculation level. As a result, it turns out we unintentionally caused students who lack shortcuts in life miss out on real opportunities.

In recent years things have been changing, however. Educational leaders in the periphery are no longer satisfied with the bare minimum. They strive to break barriers with the highest matriculation levels in mathematics, in the process achieving academic excellence in a myriad of subjects. As far as they are concerned, academic excellence is something we must nurture in everyone. They encourage students to strive and help them go as far as possible, much further than most of us would have believed.

I believe expanding the circle of excellence is the new frontier for our generation. This is our educational mission, and there is no societal or moral mission greater. Mr. PISA is right: It's time to open the doors in the periphery, just as they are open in the center. That is what will make all the difference. So please, put grades aside, get off your high horse and lend a shoulder -- together, we will prove we can do it!

Eli Hurvitz is the Director of the Trump Foundation for improving educational achievement in Israel.