Essay # 2

Elizabeth Martin

English 1310.270

Paper#2, Topic#2

02/03/2004

All schools consist of standardized test in which your “intelligence” is ranked according to your test score.  Not all schools are the same, but they all teach the same core curriculum.  The denotative meaning of intelligence is, “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations.” (Webster’s Online Dictionary)   Yet, the connotative meaning differs from person to person.  Who says the form of intelligence taught in school today is the only one.  Why only practice and learn one form of intelligence?  Altering education to best suit the theory of multiple intelligences would benefit everyone and even society.   Multiple intelligences are not recognized in school or in the work force though they do “deserve special consideration” (pg. 378 para. 8) that is not always given to them.  Everyone has intelligence in each form, but the degrees’ of each intelligence can differ.  No intelligence should be left unspoken for. 

            Education in public schools should be changed to teach and appreciate all forms of intelligence.  Some kids may excel in a form of intelligence that is not taught or appreciated.  Therefore, it can leave that kid or kids with the feeling or consideration of being dumb or even stupid.  Things come more naturally for some than for others.  The curriculum should be based upon the many forms of intelligences not only one.  The standardized test should be changed to the form of intelligence one may have.  For instance each kid could take a series of musical, bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical,

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linguistic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligence test.  Even if one does poorly in the mathematical part they may still move up a grade in the linguistic part. The every day curriculum should be based upon the test.  Just like in Texas school today; the curriculum is based upon the standardized Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Test (TAKS Test) formerly know as the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS Test).  If you fail one part of this TAKS test in the eight grade you must remain in that grade until you reach a high enough score. 

            The theory of multiple intelligences should be taught at a young age.  It should start at Preschool and really be enforced through out Elementary school.  You can look at the characteristics that come naturally to a person at a young age.  One can see how they differ or may not differ as the person gets older.  If the child can throw or catch a baseball the first time they touch the ball, then it would show they are in touch with their bodily-kinesthetic intelligence at a young age.  This doesn’t mean this kid will be a major league baseball player, but he does have a large degree of his bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.  The idea of not having to succumb to one kind leaves kids with for confidence with in themselves.  Kids would have more confidence starting at a young age, and not ever have to deal with being called or feeling dumb or stupid. 

            Classes could be organized by the seven intelligences, making everyone still participate in all forms.  Instead of basic math, it could be called logical-mathematical class. Each child would learn their basic math, problem solving, logical reasoning and much basic life necessities.  Therefore, each child would not be singled out by their weaknesses or better attributes.  The school could divide the students into class by the level they are at with the other students; not showing a child’s weakness.  It could kind of

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be like advanced or honor courses we have in school today.  This leaves each student in one honor or advanced class in which the intelligence they excel in the most.  When it comes a time for college, every child goes based on the intelligence that best suits them.  They go apply and take the recommended test for that particular intelligence.  For instance, if they are trying to get in a school that specialized in art, they would have to do a series of art test.  The school accepts them on the basis of their scores, grade point averages, and community work.  Much like the terms of acceptance today, but the test and school work their whole life are based on different theories.  This is when they are singled out by their better attributes.

            All people would benefit from these new ideas.  People who have problems with the typical logic, problem solving, and mathematical things would benefit from the change greatly.  Even a common college student like myself would benefit for I am not a good problem solver or mathematician, yet I have the ability to learn and understand new situations.  The world itself would excel and benefit if the education changed to promote all seven intelligences instead of only a couple. Society would also excel and benefit by no longer singling people out who may not be geniuses.  Then each person’s intelligence would be appreciated in its on way or form.