What is Intelligence?

Carta Ministerio Educacion 002
Last week we were informed that the Dominican government had chosen TCFL as one of the top 100 schools in the country. Our first reaction was to feel pleased and proud. However, in looking at this “honor” more closely, we realized that we had no idea what it meant. We were not told what the criteria for this award was… were we being judged for our grades on the national exams? Unfortunately, like most standardized tests, these don’t measure our students ability to think deeply or creatively. Were we being judged on our physical plant? All this would denote is that in a very poor country, we’re one of the richer schools. Were we being awarded for having an outstanding team of teachers? That would truly be something to feel proud of, but how would the government know? They don’t observe our teachers and have no idea of the innovative things we’re trying to do on a daily basis.

So basically, this honor is empty and meaningless.

But, fine, we were willing to accept the accolade and have our name put in the “Annuario Dominicano a la Excelencia” a publication that would let the country know we were among the best.

In order to do this we had to choose the most outstanding student from each of the 9th – 12th grade classes. We were also supposed to decide which teacher was the very best and we were to send those five names in to the Ministry to be published in their book. I met with Lincoln (our academic director) to do so, but the first question we encountered was: How do we choose our best students? They’re all so good. They all shine in one way or another. Who’s to say which student is “the best”?

And the next question was: how could we possibly choose one teacher over all the rest? They’re all amazing teachers. Some are more organized than others, some are more creative than others, some are better listeners than others….. but they all teach with enthusiasm, ask deep questions of their students, and constantly strive to learn new techniques and skills. How could we ever choose one above the others?

What this all comes down to is: our notion of intelligence does not mesh with the traditional one. What is the ultimate measure of intelligence? High grades? Being good at math? Being an incredible artist? Being able to argue a point? Having a wicked sense of humor? All of these are forms of intelligence and no one can say that one is more important than the other.

As Sir Ken Robinson tells us – intelligence is so much more than the traditional definition:

Lincoln looked at the papers we were to fill out and said, “Carla, this just goes completely against our philosophy.” And he’s right. There is nothing about this honorary mention that fits with our school and our beliefs.

We’d like to thank the government for recognizing something good in our school (whatever it may be) but if we are to remain true to our philosophy and our beliefs, we simply cannot accept this recognition.

10 Comments

  1. And that is why you guys are a wonderful school. We miss you and your teachers a great deal.

  2. Felicidades!
    Este nivel de COHERENCIA, tan escasa en las instituciones y negocios publicos y privados de nuestro pais, es lo que nos hace sentirnos” internamente” orgullosos del colegio.
    Trece años despues de haber confiado en su “propuesta educativa”, reitero nuestra conviccion de haber elegido lo mejor para nuestras hijas…

  3. Valeria De Moya Vega September 30, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Satisfecha y contenta de haber elegido The Community for Learning para mis hijos y para mi como padre.

  4. Proud to be a member of this amazing community!! 🙂

  5. I’m working at The Community For Learning since 5 years ago because I BELIEVE in our school philosopy and therefore I BELIEVE that this is the kind of education that I really want for my kids in this country.

  6. Estos son los modelos que necesitamos en nuestro país. Me encantaría que muchos padres y madres lean esto… Este tipo de decisiones son las que esperamos que nuestros estudiantes tomen en sus vidas. No dejarnos arrastrar por esta “gran fachada” en que se han convertido nuestras instituciones gubernamentales, ya es en sí un acto heroico. Como miembro del Staff y madre del TCFL me siento muy orgullosa de esta decisión.

  7. Waoooo, que interesante reflexión, estoy contenta de formar parte de esta comunidad!!!!

  8. CUal escuela es TCFL?

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