Evaluation of the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) program among Israeli-Arab students

ABSTRACT

The Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) Program is a process-oriented program based on Structural Cognitive Modifiability and Mediated Learning Experience (SCM-MLE) theory. It is aimed at promoting learning how to learn, development of deficient cognitive functions, problem-solving strategies and metacognitive abilities. The FIE program was developed mainly for students coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds with low academic achievements. The FIE was implemented for one year in three Grade 4 classes (n = 73) in an Israeli-Arab school. Two comparison classes from the same school in Grade 4 (n = 58) learned the regular content-oriented curriculum for the same period. All students were administered the Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices, Numerical Progression Test, and the B8-B12 Set Variation measures before the intervention. Students’ grades in English, Arabic, and Mathematics were recorded before and after the intervention. The findings showed that the students receiving the FIE significantly improved their grades from pre- to post-intervention compared with the comparison group, and that students who started the year with lower cognitive scores benefited from the program more than the students with higher scores. The findings indicating a far-transfer effects are discussed in relation to the SCM-MLE theory and previous research.

KEYWORDS:

• Instrumental Enrichment
• Mediated learning experience
• Israel-Arab students
• Cognitive intervention
• School achievements

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Bader Philanthropies [20489].

Notes on contributors

David Tzuriel

David Tzuriel, clinical psychologist, Professor Emeritus at Bar-Ilan University, Head of Research Department at Feuerstein Institute, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology (JCEP, 2007–2011, 2015–2020), and President of the International Association for Cognitive Education and Psychology (1999–2001).

Shlomit Cohen

Shlomit Cohen was the research department manager at the Feuerstein Institute. Her research interests are in school and cognitive psychology.

Rafi Feuerstein

Rafi Feuerstein is the President of Feuerstein Institute; he has a PhD in Culture Studies and serves as a Rabbi of a community in Jerusalem. He continues developing the dynamic assessment approach and Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment of his late father Prof. Reuven Feuerstein.

Haim Devisheim

Haim Devisheim has a PhD in cognitive psychology and is working in the research department of the Feuerstein institute since 2014.

Shahar Zaguri-Vittenberg

Shahar Zaguri-Vittenberg is a certified occupational therapist and doctoral student at the Hebrew University. Her research interests are neurodevelopmental disorders.

Rosalind Goldenberg

Rosalind Goldenberg holds a BSc in Psychology from an English University and has several years’ experience in research and assessment.

Lea Yosef

Dr. Lea Yosef  has a PhD in education and is the director of the Dynamic Assessment Department at Feuerstein Institute and a trainer of Instrumental Enrichment Program.

Anat Cagan

Anat Cagan was vice CEO of Israeli Education Department at Feuerstein Institute and a senior trainer of Instrumental Enrichment Program.