Shoresh Study Finds Israeli Teachers Trail Peers Across Core Skills

A Shoresh Institution study finds Israeli teachers score below peers in most of 18 comparison countries in literacy, numeracy and adaptive problem-solving across every age group. The analysis used OECD PIAAC Cycle 2 data collected in 2022-2023. It found 78% of Israeli teachers hold academic degrees, compared with 84% across the comparison group, while Israeli teachers with degrees also scored below other degree-holding Israeli workers. Researcher Yael Melzer recommended stronger subject-matter training, examining links between skills and pay, and targeted remedies for Arab-stream and early-childhood teachers, who recorded Israel's lowest skill levels.