Economics of Education in Israel

doi:10.1017/9781108907620.015

14 - Economics of Education in Israel

Inputs, Outputs, and Performance

from Part III - Investment in Human Capital, Productivity, and Inequality

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 February 2021

Dan Ben-David and

Edited by

Reuben Gronau and

Avi Ben-Bassat: Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Reuben Gronau: Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Asaf Zussman: Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem

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Summary

Israel is at a crossroads. It has one of the lowest productivity levels and one of the highest poverty rates in the developed world. With roughly half of its children receiving education that falls short of preparing them to work in a modern economy, future economic sustainability is not a foregone conclusion. On the other hand, the country’s leading universities are excellent, and they have been converging with the top American universities. The knowledge needed to raise Israel to viable economic trajectories exists within its borders, but the education system is not channeling this knowledge effectively to the primary and secondary schools, which in turn limits many pupils’ subsequent ability to enter quality higher education institutions. This chapter highlights aspects of education’s economic impact and focuses on a number of misconceptions about the state of education in Israel. It provides an overview of achievements and failings in Israel’s primary, secondary, and higher education systems, and highlights the importance of high school curriculum and academic field of study to adult wages.

Keywords

Educational quality Labor productivity Wage inequality Intergenerational mobility Core curriculum Educational reform

Type: Chapter
Information: The Israeli Economy, 1995–2017
Light and Shadow in a Market Economy
, pp. 433 - 463

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108907620.015 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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References

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