In partnership with the Trump Foundation and the Atid Educational Network
Overview
Israel’s high-tech industry has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. While companies are constantly hiring, the sector is facing a severe shortage of skilled personnel. In an effort to support the growth of this critical industry and respond to the needs of the “Startup Nation,” the Trump Foundation and the Atid Educational Network have partnered to launch a program aimed at significantly increasing the pipeline of qualified high-tech professionals.
A comprehensive study conducted within the industry revealed that the key factors enabling candidates to enter high-tech roles include advanced studies in mathematics, English, and computer science. In response, the Trump Foundation and Atid initiated a focused program to strengthen students’ academic achievements in these subjects, as well as in physics, beginning in high school.
Atid is committed to providing every student with equal opportunity to succeed, including the ability to pursue a future in high-tech. However, despite this commitment, the percentage of students in the network currently eligible for a Hi-Tech Bagrut (Matriculation Certificate) remains lower than desired. This gap stems from a combination of challenges: difficulties in teaching advanced STEM subjects, a lack of professional support for teachers and principals, motivational gaps among students, insufficient tools to support mental resilience, and a shortage of excellence programs in junior high.
The goal of this program is to substantially increase the number of students eligible for a high-quality Hi-Tech Bagrut, paving the way for future integration into the high-tech industry. The program aims to boost the rate of Hi-Tech Bagrut graduates by 150% by the end of the 2024–2025 school year (Hebrew year תשפ”ט), through clearly defined targets for each participating school, ultimately impacting the future of hundreds of students.
Program Structure
Phase 1: School Selection
After collecting and analyzing data, 23 schools were selected to participate in the first phase of the program. These schools already meet the basic criteria for offering a Hi-Tech Bagrut (such as a 5-unit major in computer science, mathematics, or physics), and show potential for sustainable growth through the support provided in the program.
Phase 2: Target Setting and Implementation
Each school was assigned specific numerical and percentage-based goals based on its current performance and growth potential. A series of strategic actions were defined to drive progress across both junior high and high school levels.
Key Actions by School Level
In Junior High (Grades 7–9):
- Establish excellence tracks focused on Hi-Tech Bagrut subjects, with both academic and emotional support.
- Expand participation in existing excellence frameworks and provide targeted exposure to high-tech subjects.
- Improve the quality of instruction, particularly in foundational math, and provide training for additional teachers to grow the excellence cohort.
- Create a structured transition plan from junior high to high school, including aligning 9th-grade curricula with high school expectations.
In Upper Secondary (Grades 10–12):
- Provide ongoing professional development for teachers of 5-unit math, physics, and computer science within the school.
- Introduce innovative teaching methods, integrate technology into instruction, and implement spiral monitoring of learning pace and student achievement.
- Support the mental and emotional resilience of students through future-focused guidance and a shared educational language, engaging counselors, homeroom teachers, principals, and a designated excellence coordinator.
