Bagruyot Testing Accommodations for Olim

By: Michael Roth

The primary focus here will be on accommodations for the Israeli Bagruyot. Providing accommodations at the Elementary school level is usually at the discretion of the school based upon psycho-educational testing. The Elementary school is not obligated in any way to provide the recommended accommodations and likewise can decide to allow them without a specific recommendation. There is no regulatory body regarding testing accommodations at the Elementary level.

Bagruyot Accommodations for New Olim:

 

Olim students are divided into 3 categories according to when they arrived on Aliyah:

Level 1= Grades 1-3
Level 2= Grades 4-8
Level 3= Grades 9-12

 

Students at all levels are eligible to receive the following accommodations:

  • Specific Bagrut for New Olim in: Hebrew Language, Literature, Civics, Tanach, History,
    Tosh'Ba, Jewish Thought
  • 25% extended time
  • No penalty for spelling errors in Hebrew
  • Tests (in Hebrew) read out loud
  • Use of dictionary
  • Translated Tanach
  • Bonus points on final grade and/or the Bagrut exam (depends on subject- for more details
    see the school Bagrut coordinator)
  • Olim Students from Levels 1 & 2 can choose to take certain exams in their native language (depends on subject- for more details see the school Bagrut coordinator) but are not eligible for bonus points.
  • Olim students in Level 3 (arriving in grades 9-12) can choose to be tested orally (in Hebrew) in all subjects except for Math, English & Lashon. Students who choose these exams are not eligible for bonus points but can have the exam read to them and may use a dictionary.

 

Students with Learning Disabilities

New Olim students with a documented or suspected learning disability may be eligible for additional accommodations beyond those for Olim. If your child has been evaluated it is important to share the information with the school and discuss the possibility of additional testing adjustments. If you suspect that your child has a learning impairment but has not been evaluated, discuss this as well with the school. It is important to keep in mind that it takes time to acquire a new language and to close the
academic gaps that are likely to develop. Research shows that second language learners require between 7-10 years to be able to sustain grade level achievement after arriving in a new country. Schools may be quick to label a child learning disabled because he/she is not "picking up the language".

In order to determine if there is a language impairment here are some things to keep in
mind:

  • Was there a delay in native language speech? If there is no history of delay in the native language the child is likely to have the ability to learn a second language.
  • Is the child able to communicate socially in the second language? Academic language is more difficult and takes more time to acquire. If the child is picking up social "everyday" language, chances are the child is not delayed.
  • Have realistic expectations and remember that progress is measured in small steps. Does the child know more vocabulary words than he did a month ago? Or is the child stuck and not able to recall words that have been previously taught? Can the child name body parts, months of the year, foods etc. This is a more realistic expectation for New Olim beginning to acquire a second language, as opposed to asking them to understand texts.
  • Consider possible emotional factors that may be interfering with progress.
  • Consult with a professional with expertise in bilingual learners.

 

New Regulations for Bagruyot Testing Accommodations for Students with Learning Disabilities

3 years ago the Education Ministry embarked on a mission to reduce the inflated numbers of students receiving accommodations on the Bagruyot exams. The plan which is now effective in several cities throughout Israel (including Modiin, Bet Shemesh, Raanana) is known as מלקות ללמידה
(מל"ל) or "Malal". One of the goals of the program was to have all testing for possible eligibility go through the local Educational Psychology Services (שירות הפסיכולוגי החינוכי-שפ"ח) rather than private testing. The student must be identified by the school as having a learning impairment and then is evaluated through the municipal psychological services at almost no cost. If you live in one of these cities and have a child in 7 th grade or older with a history of learning difficulties or suspect one, speak
with the Yoetzet to get information about the program and process. In these towns for the purposes of testing accommodations based on a learning disability, private evaluations will not be accepted. Again this is a specific program for students with learning issues and not for general Olim students.