Scientific Advice - Professor Malka Margalit
Professor Malka Margalit is a tenured professor of the School of Education at Tel-Aviv University since 1994, and a psychologist specializing in educational and rehabilitation psychology. Professor Margalit completed her doctoral studies at London University in 1975 in Child Development after previously finishing her bachelor's and master's degrees in Psychology at Tel-Aviv University.
Her research focuses on studying the functioning and adaptation of students with special education needs such as learning disabilities while evaluating the interaction between emotional processes and the processes of thinking and learning. She studies the characteristics of loneliness of students in different age groups and coping methods with social and behavioral difficulties, while regarding developmental processes in the school and family environment. The different studies of students with learning disabilities are mainly interested in the efforts of students to succeed.
Recently, as part of the accompanying research of the process of change in treatment of students with learning disabilities within the educational system, she is evaluating the significance of "accommodations for bagrut (graduation) exams, both the emotional and social significance (in addition to academic) as it is conceived of by the students and also the relationship to the different treatment approaches of the school.
A Contribution to Israeli Society
Professor Margalit's research makes an important contribution in the field of education in Israel, and her activities play a central role in the education of students with special needs:
In the field of treatment of students with learning disabilities she stood at the head of the public committee that appointed the minister of education and the minister of science in 1997 and which brought revolutionary changes in recognition, detection, and treatment of these students beginning with preschool until studies in institutions of higher education. The report of the committee became the guideline for the educational system and Professor Margalit continued to accompany the changes in this field and to advance them by means of accompanying research and evaluation and advising policy designers and service developers, parent associations, large educational systems like the Ort Network, and planners of conferences for professionals and families.
What's unique about her contribution is first and foremost the focus, not in the areas of the disability and functional difficulties, but in advancing the students' ability to gather strength, to focus efforts and to reach achievements and develop a hope to succeed. Similarly, her approach stresses the importance of research as a basis for educational practice and professional specialization of teachers and educational treatment providers.
In the field of special education Professor Margalit has made unique contributions in four central areas in Israeli society:
1. Advancement of the inclusion of students with special needs
2. Advancement of research in the special education system
3. Empowerment of families and parent associations
4. Advancement of professional training of teachers and treatment providers in new approaches and thinking
Inclusion
In the area of the inclusion of students with special needs within the regular school system, Professor Margalit advises different groups on questions of inclusion. Similarly, the conclusions of the public committee in which she served as the head that was appointed in 1999 by the minister of education to evaluate the implementation of the special education law, were the foundation for the inclusion law. Professor Margalit assisted the education committee of the Knesset in discussions that designed the law.
Research
Professor Margalit advanced research in special education as a basis for decision-making and introducing education and treatment methods. For example, as the head of the research committee of the Shalem Foundation she progressed research in the field of mental retardation, while encouraging the introduction of technology to the special education system with continual evaluation of approaches to narrow the "digital gap". Similarly, she initiated the establishment of the special education archive at the School of Education at Tel-Aviv University in order to preserve the heritage of the past and to advance historical research while developing new conceptions. Together with this, she encourages processes of innovation in treatment of students with special needs, and aids in establishing research centers in educational/treatment settings, such as the "Shalvah" Center in Jerusalem.
Parent Empowerment and Connections with Nitzan
Professor Margalit has been connected with Nitzan for many years and with many parent organizations as an expression of her recognition of the importance of empowering families to advance the adaptation and growth of students. At her initiative, training classes developed in the area of learning disabilities and in additional areas for students with special needs at Tel-Aviv University. Similarly, she is an advisor for MaTaCh for establishing a website for parents and to advance the use of new technologies in special education.
Training Classes and Conferences for Teachers
Professor Margalit has initiated and led teacher-training courses in order to advance their knowledge in knew research and advanced approaches for students with special needs.
Professor Margalit's scientific work points on an integration of internationally recognized research and a consistent and sustained contribution to Israeli society.
Professor Margalit has published three books, some 100 articles in international scientific journals, and 16 chapters in professional books. She is invited to present her research in international research workshops and in scientific conferences in the United States, Europe, and Asia. She participated in national and international conferences on the topic of learning disabilities, and is an advisory board member of six international scientific journals. She receives funding from international funds such as Health and Human Services with colleagues from the University of California, the Rothschild Fund, Ort Network, Ministry of Education, and local authorities.
Professor Margalit has stood at the head of public committees in Israel, for example, "The Margalit Committee" who appointed the minister of education and the minister of science to evaluate the state of students with learning disabilities, and "The Committee for Evaluating the Implementation of the Special Education Law" that appointed the minister of education, and as a result of its recommendations a law was recently enacted, the Inclusion Law in the Educational System. The report, which was submitted on the topic of students with learning disabilities was received by the minister of education at that time, and is in the process of being implemented.
Professor Margalit had an important contribution in the field of psychology. She directed the Schneerson Institute that provided psychological services in counseling, assessment, and treatment of children and families that have children in special education. In this framework she advanced the professionalism of psychologists, and specialization in the areas of different disabilities. Out of recognition of her leadership in the field, she was chosen to serve at the head of the Council of Psychologists. Similarly, she was chosen to be the representative of the psychologist in the Council of Health. |
