2005
Ministry of Education
source:
article posted on: December 31, 2005
CARIBBEAN CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR TEACHER TRAINING IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (CETT)

On January 12 the Ministry in collaboration with bpTT launched the first Center for Excellence in Teacher training at the Mayaro Resource Center. Minister Manning announced
•    BpTT had made a commitment to adopt all 5 schools in the Mayaro educational district—they provide material resources and pay the salary of the Reading Specialist for the area. They pledged over $150,000US in support.
•    The Ministry invited over 200 businesses to partner with the Ministry in the CETT initiative.
•    Scholastic, a leading publisher of children’s literature donated 238,000 books to use in CETT schools.
•    The Cisneros Group pledged support for the development of teacher training initiatives

On February 23, the Ministry of Education formally launched the Caribbean Center of Excellence for Teacher Training in Trinidad and Tobago at Crowne Plaza.
o    Designed to promote improvement in reading instruction, and targets students in the lower grades of primary schools in economically deprived areas
o    The program is a special reading project initiated by American President George W. Bush
o    Program is already used in Latin America, Andean South America and the Caribbean
o    The program responds to the local problem of an increasing number of students leaving secondary school without knowing how to read efficiently
o    A Cabinet Committee conducted pre-tests in schools, held workshops with teachers’ school principals, reading facilitators, teacher educators and established a Reading Resource Center and a panel of business partners to provide funding and support to the CETT initiative
o    Reading Specialists have already been assigned to support teachers and students in different districts: South eastern, Victoria, St Patrick, Port-of-Spain and environs, Caroni, St George East, North Eastern, and Tobago.

Dr Ival Melville-Myers, CETT Coordinator identified the goals of CETT as:
o    To improve the quality of primary education in Trinidad and Tobago by ensuring that all children can read by the end of Standard2
o    Improving the teaching of reading through pre and in-service training of teachers
o    Developing innovative teaching and learning practices
o    Developing teaching and learning materials to support the implementations of CETT
o    Engaging in action research
o    Developing instructional approaches
o    Upgrading teachers’ skills in Reading

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
On August 11, the Ministry invited tenders for the supply, delivery, installation, networking and commissioning of computer equipment, assistive technology and software in special school for the Ministry.

CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS
In January 2004 (reported from a February 14th release), Senator Hazel Manning “We at the Ministry of Education are proud to announce that we are a pace setter in the use of Value Methodologies.

Value Methodology includes the practice of Value Engineering, Value Analysis, and Value Management…and can be applied to all areas of human endeavor wherever cost and/or performance improvement is desired…it is a decision making tool.” This came at a 3-day Value Analysis Workshop to evaluate master plans and preliminary designs for Packages 1 and 2 comprising 15 junior secondary schools. The participants of the workshop included Heads of Divisions in the Ministry of Education and Principals of junior secondary schools. Shortly after the Ministry invited tenders for these packages.

On January 28, the Central Tenders Board invited tendering for Consultancy services for the Design, Preparation of Tender Documents, and Supervision of Construction Works for 4 New Secondary Schools. The schools were subdivided into 3 packages as follows:
•    Malabar Secondary (875 students)
•    Mt Hope Secondary and Curepe Secondary (875 students each)
•    Barataria Secondary (875 students)

On January 28, the Central Tenders Board also invited tendering for Consultancy services for the Design and Supervision of Construction of Construction Works for 9 Replacement Primary Schools for the Ministry of Education. The schools were subdivided into 3 packages:
•    Chatam Government and Tunapuna Government (240 students each)
•    Buenos Ayres Government, Penal/Quinam Government, Salybia Government School, and Monte Video Government School (120 students each)
•    Egypt Government School, Lower Morvant Government School, and Manzanilla Government School (425 students each)

On January 28, Central Tenders Board invited applications to tender for the supply, delivery, installation, networking, and commissioning of Computer Equipment and Accessories in 340 Primary schools for the Ministry of Education. Prospective tenderers were also asked to attend a pre-tendering meeting at the Ministry’s Alexandra Street offices on February 11.

On February 10, the Ministry invited proposals for 3 local Project Management Consulting firms for the provision of Project Management Services for the design, and supervision works on Secondary, Primary and Early Childhood schools and Education District Offices. Prospective tenderers were invited to a meeting on March 3. This move was part of the Ministry’s school construction, renovation and technical upgrade programme 2003-2006.

On April 11, the Ministry invited Pre-qualification of Contractors for construction works on 22 Senior Comprehensive And Secondary Schools, these included: Marabella Senior Comprehensive School, Siparia Senior Comprehensive School, Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive School, Princes Town Senior Comprehensive School, Barrackpore Senior Comprehensive School, Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive School, Malick Senior Comprehensive School, Barataria Senior Comprehensive School, Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive School, Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive School, San Fernando Senior Comprehensive School, Union-Claxton Bay Senior Comprehensive School, Arima Senior Comprehensive School, Arima Government Secondary School, Tunapuna Government Secondary School, San Juan Government Secondary School, Couva Government Secondary School, Queen’s Royal College, St. François Girls College, Woodbrook Secondary School, Diego Martin Secondary School, and North Eastern College.

On April 12, The Ministry of Education invited tenders for Construction of 21 Government Primary Schools in the flowing areas: Arima West, Arima New, Enterprise, Palo Seco, Buenos Ayres, La Pastora, Maloney, Tunapuna, Egypt, Manzanilla, Salybia, Chatam, St. Mary’s New Grant, Tranquility, Icacos, Lower Morvant, Penal/Quinam, Cap-De-Ville, Fanny Village, And Montevideo.

On April 12, the Ministry invited pre-qualification of contractors for Construction works on 22 senior secondary and secondary schools, with a major aspect of the program being the expansion, technical upgrade and renovation of secondary schools to facilitate the de-shifting of all junior secondary schools. These included St. Madeleine Secondary School, Barrackpore Secondary School and Junior Secondary schools in Mucurapo, Sangre Grande, Chaguanas, Point Fortin, Penal, Marabella, Williamsville, Couva, Siparia, Carapichaima, San Fernando East, Princes Town, Diego Martin, Belmont, Barataria, Aranjuez, Mount Hope, Curepe, And Five Rivers.

CXC

Distance Learning Initiative
On February 10, the Ministry launched the CXC/COL Distance Learning Materials Imitative at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The self-study print materials developed for CXC with assistance from the Commonwealth of Learning, focus in the first instance on selected CSEC and CAPE subjects and will be piloted in secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago. This marks the beginning of the ministry’s commitment in promoting the use of distance learning materials and methodologies to support the existing secondary school curriculum.
CXC Results

On August 25, Minister of Education Hazel Manning announced that 48.7 percent of students successfully received a full certificate in CXC exams, a decrease from the 66.1 percent the previous year.

EDUCATION FACILITIES COMPANY LIMITED (EFC)
The state enterprise, the Education Facilities Company Limited was formed in 2005 with the mandate of facilitating execution of the Ministry’s Development Projects. On July 18, the Company began recruitment procedures.

On October 10th the EFC invited tenders for prequalification for the construction of 600 early care and education centers. During phase one 2005-2006, 42 ECCEs would be constructed.

EDUCATION TELEVISION UNIT
On April 26, the Education Television Unit in collaboration with the Instructional Materials Development Unit of the Ministry of Education launched its video “Making A Difference” at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Center. The launch was part of a prize giving function in collaboration with the Trinidad Guardian.

EDUCATION FOR ALL WEEK
During the period April 24-30, the Ministry of Education celebrated Education for All Week, which is celebrated every April to remind governments and the international community to keep their promise to achieve education for all by 2015. In a message to mark the week, the Minister of education said that the Ministry this year:
-    Is asking schools to bring to the attention of the Ministry students who are not in school
-    Urged schools to send to the Ministry poems, songs, essays, drawings and paintings to highlight the week
-    Also invited opinions from schools on how best to deal with the issue

The Minister also announced that the Ministry would announce at a later date the Ministry’s plans in the next phase of consultations on a National Education for All Plan of Action.

In April 2000, at the World Education Forum held in Dakar, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago was one of the 160 countries around the world that agreed to what is now referred to as the Dakar Framework to achieve Education for All by the year 2015. Since that time, the Education for all week of EFA Week is celebrated in April every year.

An ‘Educate to End Poverty Walk’ came off on April 27 from the Point Fortin Senior Secondary School to the Victor Chin Kit Park. The Ministry of Education hosted a Youth Health Caravan at the park.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Belmont Boys RC School
On April 27 the Ministry of Education put in action a plan to deal with students of the Belmont Boys’ RC School. First Year Infants, Second Year Infants and Standard One classes were transferred to the Escallier Anglican School in Belmont. Standard Two and Three students were also affected; they began classes at Martins RC School. Post-SEA students commenced classes at the Belmont Government Primary School. Transport was provided for the students to the Escallier Anglican School. The measure was a temporary one lasting for almost six weeks.

Debe High School
On February 24, the Trinidad Guardian reported that students and teachers were falling in as raw sewage was seeping into drains, labs and the cafeteria, a problem that has been going on since 2001. A Ministry of Education press release stated that the Educational Facilities Management Division was undertaking corrective works to the sewer treatment plant at the school with repair works being undertaken after 4pm. The release went on to sate that the school’s principal had indicated her appreciation for their prompt action by the ministry in dealing with the problem with was caused by heavy rainfall and the removal of a pump by MTS contractors for repair.

The Ministry began work on the problem on February 23. By February 28 the Trinidad Express reported that the problem had come to an end.

La Pastora Government Primary School
On February 18, the Trinidad Express reported teachers stayed away from classes at the La Pastora Government Primary School over allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct by a teacher at the school.

On February 21 a Ministry release said the Ministry was working “expeditiously to raise the issues raised by the teachers.”

On February 23, the Trinidad Guardian reported that the Ministry of Education had asked the teaching Service Commission to probe these allegations. The Ministry is also reported to be seeking legal advice on the matter.

On March 3, the Trinidad Guardian reported that the Teaching Service Commission had submitted a report to the Ministry of Education on the allegations.

Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School
On February 10, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Angela Jack, issued a strong warning to Pentecostal pastor Winston Cuffy following his decision to shut down the Miracle Ministries Pentecostal School and fire its principal Omar Ali. She described Mr. Cuffy’s actions as “illegal”, saying it was a breach of the Education Act Chapter 39:01 which governs government assisted schools. PS Jack noted also that due process was not observed by Mr. Cuffy in the matter. The Ministry was at the time building a new Miracle Ministry school in Couva.

Point Fortin Anglican School
The Point Fortin Anglican School was handed over to the denominational board by the first week in May.

Southern Central Anglican Primary School
On February 24, the Trinidad Guardian reported that raw sewage was a problem at the Southern Central Anglican Primary School, Coromandel Village, Cedros. The matter was reported to the Education Facilities Management Division of the Ministry of Education.

St Dominic’s Convent School
On March 4, teachers at the school in Malick, Barataria stayed away from classes calling for the resignation of principal Sister Aeleel Besson and to demand increased salaries. After a week of protest, the teachers were back at work on March 7 after a meeting with the board of Dominican Sisters and the management committee of the school on March 4.

St. Michael’s Anglican School
On April 14, five students narrowly escaped death when a 20-foot span of concrete wall bordering the St. Michael’s Anglican School fell. The Ministry of Education and the Anglican Board immediately launched an investigation into the incident.

Tranquility Government School
On March 11, the Trinidad Newsday reported that there were delinquency problems at the Tranquility Government School due to teachers not attending classes. The Ministry of Education promised to inform school supervisors to investigate the matter.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
On July 14, the Ministry of Education invited proposals for the provision of an Employees Assistance Program for the Ministry of Education.        

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TEACHING SERVICE
On April 10, the Ministry of Education invited applications for the position of teacher in secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago in the subject areas: Visual arts, business studies, computer science/information technology, theatre arts, home economics/textiles/tailoring, industrial arts, languages, mathematics, natural sciences, music, physical education, social sciences, technical drawing/draughting.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT
On January 21 the Physical Education Unit of the Ministry of Education launched its calendar of activities in celebration of International Year of Physical Education and Sport with an Athletic Festival at the Jean Pierre Complex. Approximately 656 students from all educational districts participated in a Torch Run. This year marks the first year that students from Trinidad and Tobago will write CXC examinations in Physical Education and Sport.
 
The year of activities includes:
•    January
o    Torch Run
o    National Secondary 5k road race
o    Launch of International Year of Physical Education/Sport
o    Super Sixes Secondary Schools Cricket Tournament
•    February
o    National Secondary Schools Relay
o    All Children Exercise Simultaneously (ACES)—Walk for Fitness
•    March
o    National Secondary Track/Field Championships
o    National Secondary Track and Field Awards
•    April
o    Fitness Testing
o    Launch of CXC Physical Education
•    May
o    National Primary Track and Field Championships
o    Jump Rope District Festival
•    June
o    Sport Disability Festival
o    Jump Rope National Festival
•    August
o    Newsletter—Physical Education/Sport
•    September
o    Regional Physical Education/Sport Convention
o    Physical education Debate—District

•    October
o    Physical Education Debate
o    National Children’s Rally
o    Secondary School’s Football
o    Intercol Football

•    November
o    Award and Closing Ceremony

On January 30 the Ministry published a 12-page pullout in the Sunday Express in celebration of International Year of Physical Education and Sport 2005. The theme of this year’s activities: Catch the Athletic Spirit and Build a Healthy Society.

All Children Exercise Simultaneously (ACES)
On February 18, the ACES initiative came off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, with 300 students from the Port-of-Spain area participating in 15 minutes of physical activity. The activities consisted of jogging-on-the-spot, shuttle running aerobics, and brisk walks. The ACES program sensitizes students about physical education and nurtures healthier lifestyles, forming part of the Ministries activities to underscore its commitment to International Year of Physical Education and Sport.

Athletic Festival
The Guardian General and Ministry of Education Schools Athletic Festival was launched on January 21. It culminated in the Secondary Schools National Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from February 23-24. The award ceremony for the Athletics Festival was held on March 15 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

MAGNET SCHOOLS
In July, the Ministry of Education announced that several schools would be made into magnet schools for music, sports, arts, science, physical education etc.

The Magnet Programme was introduced in September as a two-year, full time pilot project for Form Four students. 17 schools were short-listed to participate in the structured programme.

The programme combines the CXC curriculum with specialized areas of discipline and is open to any student who has interest in the programme. The student will also receive certificates in the various fields of endeavor.

St. Augustine Senior Comprehensive is among the first of the 17 schools chosen to participate in the program.

MISSING CXC PAPERS ISSUE
On December 30, 2004 several CXC examination papers went missing, The Ministry dismissed all temporary staff at the Examinations Unit a week later. On February 2, during a sitting of the House of Representatives, Minister Hazel Manning revealed that the Fraud Squad was conducting investigations into the disappearance of the exam papers.

NATIONAL JUNIOR PANORAMA COMPETITION
The Ministry of Education in collaboration with Pan Trinbago the National Junior Panorama Competition with the theme sponsored “Think Pan, Enjoy Pan” on January 30 at the Queen’s Park Savannah. The competition featured 17 senior bands (under21) and 4 junior bands (under 13). St Augustine Senior Competition won the Seniors Competition, with Tamana Primary School Steel Workshop taking the top prize in the Junior Category.

Minister of Education, Senator Hazel Manning congratulated the 21 participating bands, saying that the government was prepared to use the steelpan to improve the talents and creative abilities of the nation’s children.

NATIONAL TEST FINDINGS
At a Post Cabinet Press Conference on January 13, Minister of Education Hazel Manning revealed that the National Test conducted last year in primary schools revealed that girls are excelling at a faster rate than boys. The examination results revealed that more female students were found in the average range in Mathematics and Language Arts at Standard One and Standard Two. The test also revealed the students in Caroni, Victoria and St George are performing consistently above the national average.

The National Test was administered in June 2004 and according to the Minister it provided information that sets benchmarks and enables the Ministry to take the necessary remedial steps to encourage improvement.

NATIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATE
On April 8, Minister Hazel Manning announced that the Ministry was ready to introduce the National Training Certificate into the curriculum, as part of the modernization of the secondary school system. She said that technical education would be rationalized into Forms 1-3 and in 2007 specialized vocational training would be extended to Form 6. The Ministry of Education was working in close collaboration with the National Training Agency and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education to provide technical vocational education through Forms 1-6. The National Training Agency would be training 400 teachers to facilitate this program and the Ministry would engage in a National public awareness programme.
 
OAS IV MEETING OF MINISTERS OF EDUCATION
During the period August 10-12, the Ministry of Education hosted the Organization of American States IV Meeting of Ministers of Education in the framework of Inter-American Council for Integral Development. The Meeting brought together Ministers of Education from the Americas at the Hilton Tobago. The Ministers discusses strategies to continue to improve the quality of education for all.

PAN IN THE CLASSROOM UNIT
On July 13, the Ministry through its Pan in the Classroom Unit invited children between the ages of 7-16 to register for a Vacation Camp in Steelpan Playing and Music Literacy from July 25-29. The camp was conducted at four venues in north, east, south and Tobago.

PAYMENT OF ARREARS TO TEACHERS

Report on the Payment of Arrears
On February 19, the Ministry of Education released a report on processing of payments of arrears of increments (1987-1995) to teachers. This report revealed that:
o    10,066 teachers have been paid
o    1,854 have been determined as not having qualified for payment since the due amounts were less than the $2,990 representing the buyout figure
o    3337 are currently in various stages of processing

August 2004 Memorandum of Agreement between CPO and TTUTA

On February 22, the Ministry of Education advised all teachers who retired or resigned during
The period 2002-2004 to contact the Ministry’s Finance and Accounts Division to apply for arrears of salary payable in accordance with the August 2004 Memorandum of Agreement between CPO and TTUTA.

REDUCTION OF INDISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS
On January 19, Minister of education, Hazel Manning made the claim that indiscipline in schools had been cut in half. Mrs. Manning credited this reduction to several initiatives by her ministry:
o    Setting up a Student Services Division
o    The introduction of psychosocial support for students
o    School social workers
o    The reestablishment of student councils
o    School safety officers
o    Wire wall fencing

0n February 10, Minister Manning praised the work of the Joint Task Force between her ministry and the Ministry of National Security in reducing violence and indiscipline in schools. The Minister revealed that reports indicate that incidences of pre-Carnival indiscipline and violence were reduced by more than 50%, with some institutions reporting zero incidences of disturbance.

School Safety Officers Program
On February 10, the first batch of School Safety Officers graduated at a ceremony at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Government agreed to dispatch 182 Officers, placing 2 officers in each of the nation’s government secondary schools. The first batch was dispatched in December 2004, after a 2-week intensive training programme. To this time 67 officers were placed at 40 schools.
  

SECONDARY EDUCATION MODERNIZATION PROGRAMME COORDINATING UNIT (SEMPCU)
On March 11, the Ministry of Education invited applications of vacancies in the SEMPCU: project manager, construction services; project manager, institutional strengthening, project manager, finance and administration support services; human resource specialist, HRM researcher, an researcher within the education planning unit.

Diploma in Educational Technology
On April 16, the SEMP invited applications for a one-year-in-service training programme leading to a Diploma in Educational Technology with emphasis in multimedia. The programme was intended to enhance pedagogical skills of qualifying teachers, and was scheduled to begin in July 2005.

SECONDARY ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (SEA)
On March 17, 19,786 students sat the SEA exam at 547 centers. In Tobago some 1,028 students form more than 40 schools, including 100 students from private schools wrote the SEA exam.

When results were released on June 30, 84 girls secured spots in the top 100 performances. A total of 13,132 students or 66.4% were placed in 5-year and 7-year schools. Of these 6,175 were boys and 6,956 were girls. A total of 6,188 students were placed in junior secondary schools, 244 in private schools, and 222 in pre-vocational schools, including Servol Junior Life Centers.

SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAMME FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
On April 13, the Ministry of Education advertised its Spanish Immersion Programme For Secondary School Students, a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education and TIDCO. The programme gives students of Forms 4, 5, and 6 the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Spanish through a Spanish Language Immersion Programme in Costa Rica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

STUDENTS SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

Discovery camp
On July 16, the Ministry announced it was staging its Discovery Camp 3 at 6 venues around the country. The activities included drama, sports, games, field trips, rap sessions and much more.

10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE TWINNING OF T&T/NORWAY SCHOOLS
On February 20, Education Minister Hazel Manning addressed a gathering at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the twinning of schools in Trinidad and Tobago and Norway. This successful program has been recognized as a model for the Participation Solidarity Programme of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network. The idea for this came at the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the United Nations in 1995 at the UN Headquarters in New York City. At a gathering of teachers from around the world teachers were challenged to propose interesting projects that will have a multiplier effect in promotion of the work of the United National around the world.

Monica Regisford-Douglin and Jon Moller began a twinning exercise between Trinidad and Tobago and Norway, which has resulted in several exchange visits.

TEXTBOOK EVALUATION COMMITTEE
On March 14, the Textbook Evaluation Committee invited Authors/publishers/booksellers to submit for review textbooks for Primary and Secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago for the academic school year in the areas of:
•    Primary school—social studies (standard 5) and general science (standards 4-5)
•    Secondary schools—social studies (forms 1-3) and integrated science (form 3)

Deadline for submission was April 8.

TEXTBOOK RENTAL UNIT
On April 28, Minister Hazel Manning announced that Cabinet approved plans to expand the textbook rental programme. The new programme would include:
-    $1,000 book grant for Lower Six Students
-    An expansion of the rental textbook programme for Form Four students, which also enabled Form Five students to use Form Four books
-    The ministry would also provide additional textbooks and workbooks for Social Studies and Science for primary school students

UPDATE ON DE-LINKING AND UNIFICATION OF THE TEACHING SERVICE
On January 26, a ministry of Education press release stated the Ministry “viewed with great concern the recent reports in the public media which convey the impression that salary anomalies exist and the Ministry has failed to rectify those anomalies…. since December 2000 and continuing the Ministry has consistently applied the remedy of the interim allowances to address the gap which currently exists between the pay of School Supervisors and that of School Principals and Vice Principals.”

The Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to continue to work with all stakeholders in this matter and the School Supervisors and assured all the other officers concerned that sustained effort will be given to this matter to bring it to closure.

The Minister of Education met with school supervisions on January 28, where they were told:
-    The Minister of Education had approved increases in the allowances of school supervisors I (to $6,000), II (now to $5,600), and III (now $5,700)
-    The increases go back to 2002, and back pay will be paid from 2002
-    Legislation would be going to Parliament in three weeks to make allowances payable for pension gratuity
-    Legislation to de-link school supervisors from the public service will also go to Parliament
The school supervisors said they would put on hold protest action, for the time being.

VACANCIES
On December 28, 2004 the Ministry of Education announced that it had commenced the process of appointing Heads of Department, Deans, and Senior Teachers in schools with the objective of enhancing and strengthening the management structures and systems in schools. The ministry also invited applications from suitably qualified teachers for promotion in Primary and Secondary schools. The deadline date for the submission of these applications was extended to February 19, 2005.

WEBSITE FOR THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
On January 30 the Ministry of Education invited proposals for the Design, Development, Implementation and Hosting of a Website for the Ministry.

WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS
On January 5th, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the University of the West Indies hosted a landmark workshop for teachers featuring eminent Harvard Professor Howard Gardner.

Howard Gardner is the John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Professor in Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He also holds positions as Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, Adjunct Professor of Neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine, and Chair of the Steering Committee of Project Zero.

Professor Gardner is best known in educational circles for his theory of multiple intelligences, a critique of the notion that there exists but a single human intelligence that can be assessed by standard psychometric instruments. During the past twenty years, he and colleagues at Project Zero have been working on the design of performance-based assessments, education for understanding, and the use of multiple intelligences to achieve more personalized curriculum, instruction, and assessment.