Promoting Giftedness and Excellence in Education

The purpose of this study is to examine the gifted and excellent programs that exist in junior high schools in Arab schools in Israel and their impact on the advancement of learning among students, and as a result, to propose possible programs of action. The research is based on qualitative research methodology, which included interviews with two principals and 20 teachers in two middle schools in central Israel. Through these interviews, the interviewees' perceptions of giftedness and excellence programs and their methods of operation in junior high schools were examined.

The gifted and excellent programs that exist today in middle schools do not allow for equal opportunities among all students, because they focus on a very small number of students. A change in this situation may be possible through the implementation of gifted and excellence programs among all students in all classes, in all layers and in all subjects in junior high schools. The findings of this study point to a variety of ways to foster excellence in the various educational frameworks according to the perceptions of principals and teachers.

Key words: giftedness, excellence in education, middle schools, Arab education.