Introduction

Education is something that is universally thought of as a positive. I see parents think about good schools in their area and saving up for college (if you're American). In this article I will share my thoughts on the education system as I see it (mainly in Israel, but it applies to the states as well). I will share briefly what I did and why I think more people should try University courses earlier in life.

This article is relevant to you if you are 15+ and still in high school or you're a parent of a 15+. I name specific programs in Israel that are on this topic throughout the page.

My Education - An Anecdotal Perspective

I grew up in Israel. In Israel the typical child goes through 12 years of learning from grades 1-12, and at the end gets a diploma that is directly translated to "Maturity Diploma".

My mother moved me and my brothers to Israel when I was still in single digit years of age. I remember being the new kid who didn't speak the language, made fun of, and learning quickly how to cut class or make holes in the fence to escape the confines of my school grounds. The mentality of school being dumb and futile stuck with me throughout grades 5-9; this ingrained negative thoughts which will be expanded on shortly.

In 8th grade, my parents looked into a better school that focuses on higher education; because of their efforts in 9th grade I switched schools and started a trial program that mixes high school and university studies. This program was in מכללת אורט גבעת רם in conjunction with the Hebrew University. The program consisted of:

aptitude screening test
trial year with a course or two in the university (which I almost failed)
11th grade alongside your first year of higher educaiton on probation
12th grade, 2nd year still not as a "real" student
You graduate high school and become a "real" university student in your 3rd year

This was a major change for me, coming from a public religious all-boy school, to a public co-ed secular school and higher education all at once. I was also apart of the advanced "example" class of mostly Russian students, who have been studious for most of their lives. I came from a background of a new immigrant who cut classes and was not a good student. I tried a year long course while going to 10th grade. I ended up succeeding and taking a full course load during my 11th year of school.

I have seen kids take on too much, break from the stress etc. I didn't really put to much weight on it and ended up 1 of 3 who finished with a degree a year after graduating highschool. My fellow students still had credits and finished with a respectable teudat bagrut. I started computer engineering (4 year degree), but ended up changing to the math department. I found pure math to make less assumptions and be an easier world to build philosophically, instead of experimentally.

Today I hold a double major BS degree, Math and Computer Science.

My Recommendation

I believe that every average student should attempt higher education.

'WHAT?! but what about being a kid; childhood innocence; throwing a note to that cute girl [boy] across the classroom?'

Well I personally have the belief that my high school curriculum could have been taught in half the time, with half the effort. Most of a student's time is sitting stationary listening to a lecture repeating tedious assignments that are not beneficial later in life. Unless of course, training one to sit stationary and get used to repeating tedious tasks at a workplace is beneficial...

Note: I have met some amazing teachers who really think about the effect they have on their students. In my experience these good people are the exception; shining stars in a polluted sky.

A parent's responsibility is to forward their children as much as realistically possible. Government institutions' goals are less geared to the individual. If your child is average or above, school systems will rarely give him the opportunity to considerably get a leg up in life. If you have the means, and your kid shows interest in expanding his knowledge I believe in trying out a course in higher education. If you are in Israel, you might get into the Open University without the need for psychometri (SAT like test).

Disclaimer: As I write this I am not a parent. God willing one day I will have children.

We learn through failure, and learning it is ok to fail early is important. Someone who never failed in their young adult life is either extraordinary (I would love to [[Get in Touch|get a coffee with you]]) OR put in an environment that was mundane. You can make a huge difference in your kid's life. Is there anything better to bet on than your own child's success?

School = Beurocracy

When I was 2 years into my degree, I found out about this project called אפיק מעבר from a good guy, who was learning with me at Hebrew University. This is a program from the open university, who accepts a broader applicant, where you can do your first year at OpenU and based on your grades transfer to year 2 in other academic institutions. (Read more about it here.)

When I learned about this program I thought to myself: Hey, I did all my first year courses at Hebrew U with a high average, I should get accepted as a proper student based on that alone. After many hours on the phone I was told that afik maavar is a special program supported by the ministry of education and even though I have better grades than required from the same university I want to go to, I would still need my teudat bagrut (highschool diploma).

I brought my younger brother to OpenU openhouse where he seemed excited. When he started inquiring about applying, he was shot down. The secretary said his school needs to allow it, parents need to be involved and that he shouldn't try because they won't let him 😔. This ended up dissuading him; he actually later dropped out of school and got his GED in America.

I can't emphasize enough that the education system is put in place to cram a minimum standard into all citizens, this is of course so they are well rounded. With minimal effort and support, a kid can get ahead in life. Why not try?

To Sum Up

[ ] #todo FILL

Disagree?

I am new to writing in this format, I hope I came across clearly and gave you a new perspective.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or disagreements, please respond via email to this article. I would love to hear about it.