To: Professor Bird and the UTC Community From: Lucien Ellington Subject: Multiple Intelligences and the Arts Professor Bird made a statement in his comments on my multiple intelligences post yesterday that I would like to elaborate upon. My original comment and Professor Bird's rejoinder are below. Ellington-MI theory in many public schools is now being used as an excuse to demand less academic (verbal/linguistic intelligences to use Gardner's phrase) >>work from students. We should be very sceptical about the "lessons" of MI. > >Bird-This statement betrays your point of view all too well. The traditional >"academic" subjects (math, science, english) are elevated to a higher >plane, and non-traditional "academic" subjects (music, physical education, >foreign languages, art, drama, etc.) are relegated to "electives." Professor E.D. Hirsch, who happens to be our convocation speaker next week, is one of the most articulate critics of Multiple Intelligence Theory in the country and has debated Howard Gardner on NPR and in the New York Times. Hirsch is also responsible for starting over 900 Core Knowledge Elementary Schools throughout the country (three in the Chattanooga area) where students learn a rudimentary liberal arts curriculum. One of the reasons I am attracted to Hirsch and his Core Knowledge Schools is that MUSIC and ART are considered basic subjects and in order to become a Core Knowledge School, teachers and administrators must teach an extensive and specific music and art curriculum in all eight grades. While Hirsch and his people don't include PE and Foreign Language in their required elementary core, they recommend that Core Knowledge Schools teach these subjects as electives. My point is there is no inconsistency in criticizing a psychological theory such as MI that has little supporting evidence and championing such basic subjects as art and music. Cordially, (and everyone come to convocation!) Lucien Ellington > > > > Lucien Ellington, Editor Education About Asia University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 105A Hunter Hall Chattanooga, TN 37403 423-755-5375 423-755-5381 (fax)