The Yeholot Last Hurdle Program for Matriculation Summary Report Under the Academic Accreditation of the School of Education at Tel Aviv University Researchers: Prof. Yizhar Oplatca, Dr. Adit Livne December 2018, Tevet 5778

The Last Hurdle Program for Matriculation The Yeholot Association funded by the Rashi Foundation, operates the Last Hurlde program in underserved communities of the socio-economic periphery of Israel, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, School networks and Philanthropic partners around the world. Project Goals: To enable students from 10th-12th grade pupils who failed, or are expected by their school to fail the matriculation exam in one particular (“obstacle”) subject, which remains their “last hurdle” to a matriculation certificate. Facts about the Program – 2017: In 2017 the Program was implemented in 50 schools at 31 Jewish, Druze and Bedouin towns: In 2017 - 8.35 was the "Strauss Index” of the participating schools. In 2017 - 94% of the pupils who entered the program have passed the matriculation exam in the obstacle subject successfully. 84% from 12 grade participants obtained the matriculation certificate as a result of The Last Hurdle Program. In 2017 a total of 1035 participants in the program obtained a matriculation diploma. Figures about the Program – 2007 - 2017 In the last decade 12,099 students have successfully passed the matriculation exam in the obstacle subject as a result of their participation in the program. 9,628 students were eligible to the matriculation diploma. (92% of the participants)

Summary Report Objectives 1. Evaluate the cumulative effect of the program on students. 2. Measure the effects of the program at the school level. 3. Identify the attitudes and perceptions of the ones involved in the program regarding: Its quality Ways of implementation And its contribution to students

Summary Layout 1. Survey 2. In-depth interviews 3. Secondary analysis Among 224 students sampled from ten participating schools in the Druze and Bedouin Jewish sectors. The survey examined the perceptions of the students' studies. 2. In-depth interviews Among 60 policy makers, students and program operators in the sampled schools, including school principals, students and graduates of the program, coordinators and teachers. 3. Secondary analysis Of reports prepared by Yeholot and approved by the Tel Aviv University, including annual reports of Yeholot and surveys of participation in higher education of the Last Hurdle Program graduates.

Findings - influence on students The purpose of the program is achieved  A high percentage (90-94% in the last decade) of those who started the program, successfully pass the matriculation exam in the “obstacle” subject. Increasing the integration of graduates in higher education About half of the program's graduates have integrated into the higher education system within eight years from the end of 12th grade, similar to the national average of integration into higher education Improving students perceptions of their scholastic functioning Participation in the program statistically increases the following:  The focus of students' internal control,  The perception of their scholastic functioning,  Aspiration to pursue academic studies. A finding that is particularly significant in light of the fact that the plan continues over a relatively short period of time.

Findings - Effect on schools The program is perceived as an asset to the school  The program increases the eligibility rates for matriculation in the school.  Has a large impact, because it operates in the periphery where the rates of entitlement to matriculation are low compared with well- established communities.  All those involved in the program claim that it must expand in the schools in which it operates and in other schools. Implementing the principals of the program in the school - There are differences between the roles in assimilating the educational concept of the program in the school. - The extent of the program's influence on the school is determined by the principals' perception of the program and the degree of predominance of the program coordinators in the school.  The implementation of the educational concept of the program in schools is higher among those who are actually participating in the program Lower among those who were not exposed to the program.  The program is still seen as a major driver of change in schools.

Findings - Perception of the program by school principals Satisfaction with the program Indicate that the program contributes to: The most of the principals are satisfied that the program operates in their school. Raising school matriculation rates (especially in mathematics, Which many students find difficult), To improve students' self-confidence and to believe in their scholastic abilities. The principals note the warm ties created in the program between students and teachers, thanks to the caring and concern of the teachers, and the creation of an emotional closeness between teacher and student. Principals want to expand and improve the program Among the proposals:  Expanding the program into additional subjects and additional groups  Enroll students from 10th grade into the program  Improving teachers' skills (especially in mathematics)  Direct funding from the Ministry of Education

Findings - Perception of the program by school principals "The very fact that these difficult students, who are likely to drop out, to succeed in getting them back on track - is to me the first advantage and the main strength of the program. " “Also the teachers' training courses on how to treat students, the method is very appropriate and helps" "The teachers' belief in the students, that they can, is what brings the students to believe in themselves and their abilities, and the whole method and its application, I think, are the main strengths of the program. In addition to the number of hours and investment during the marathon, for example. " "The program contributes to all the parties involved in it: to the student it allows him to succeed, to get another chance and to finish with a matriculation certificate. To the school, the program increases the percentage of eligibility " "And the teachers who teach in the program, will be better and more experienced professionally"

Findings - perception of the program by students and graduates Great satisfaction in the program in light of the contribution to the student's success The students and graduates expressed great satisfaction with their participation in the program. They emphasize that the program has brought not only success in the obstacle subject, but also progress in all fields of study, since the program provides learning habits and strengthens motivation for learning. Some of the students noted the program's contribution to strengthening their self-confidence and shaping their personality. The students note the high level of instruction in the program, the teachers' willingness to explain the material studied patiently, and the close and comprehensive relations that developed between them. These students claimed that the duration of the short program and the educational marathons placed a great deal of burden on them. The minority of students believe that the program is too busy

Findings - perception of the program by students and graduates "As part of this program, I learned new skills that I did not have before, and it helped me a lot in preparing for matriculation exams." "It's challenging, empowering, encouraging, I got 0 at the beginning and then I started to go up, 30, 50. You see the change and feel good, it encourages you to succeed, and not just pass the matriculation exams. "The program enabled me to succeed in the only subject I had doubts about whether I would succeed, I was not sure about it, but I succeeded with a score of 100, which I did not even dream about in mathematics. The plan saved a lot of time. "

Summary - Program features The program was found to be unique in its educational approach and in its teaching method, which is effective in achieving its goals at the student and school level, based on good and close relations between the students, teachers, instructors and among themselves and has a significant contribution to all those involved in it. The program succeeds in increasing the eligibility rates for the matriculation exams of the participants and the eligibility rates of the participating schools. The program improves students' self-image and their integration into the higher education system. The program is awarded with great satisfaction from the interested parties, who would like to see it expanded to more schools.

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