Why Principals Appreciatethe MIDAS™
Beyond Boredom, Buzzwords and the Basics
C. Branton Shearer, July 4, 2010
Principals appreciate the Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scales (MIDAS™) profile because it provides powerful information to address three essential elements of a highly effective education: discipline, motivation and student engagement. A principal creates a school environment where teachers can do their best work teaching and students can be actively engaged in learning. Information about students’ intellectual profilesenhances a teacher’s ability to maintain student focus on curricular objectives and to engage students with material that is intrinsically interesting and appropriately challenging.
The MIDAS™ Profile provides an understanding of the strengths and limitations of individual students as well as groups of students in eight areas (Linguistic, Logical-mathematical, Spatial, Kinesthetic, Musical, Naturalist, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal). A class MIDAS™Profile can be used to enhance motivation and achievement for all students by accentuating thinking strengths embedded in an MI-inspired differentiated curriculum.
Teachers can collaborate with school psychologists to use the Profile to informResponse to Intervention strategies that will be highly motivating. Tier 2 (At Risk) students can be grouped by their MI strength where the use of research-based activities will build core academic skills such as reading and math. MIDAS™ Profiles provide a wealth of positive, strength-based activities to be included in an Individual Education Plan for Tier 3 (Special Needs) students. Employing a “strengths vs. deficits” approach maximizes the chances that student-centered instructional plans will be implemented regularly by the student, parents, tutors and teachers.
Like a good Swiss army knife the MIDAS™ Profile is a powerful tool for addressing several other important tasks: providing positive information to inform behavioral interventions; enhancing the Intrapersonal intelligence and leadership potential of all students; developing parental awareness of the students’ educational needs; furthering the systematic professional development of teachers; and providing counselors with a framework for a comprehensive career and intellectual development guidance program.
The three-page MIDAS™ Profile provides a description of a student’s skills and abilities that serves as a richly detailed“map” to guide the student in assuming personal responsibility for his or her own educational success. Numerous materials and curricula are available to assist in the all-important follow up educational activities once the Profile has been obtained. These materials have been developed in collaboration with educators around the world and are user-friendly, flexible and aimed towards specific, vital educational goals.
A principal’s job of selecting, guiding and supporting teachers-in-the-classroom is made significantly easier when an MI-inspired approach is implemented school-wide. Teachers benefit when the Profile is used to guide their professional development and to inform inter-disciplinary curriculum planning. Teachers also appreciate the power of the MIDAS™ to constructively address student behavior, discipline, motivation and performance. These issues are of fundamental concern to all teachers. When they are dealt with effectively using MI-inspired strategies then teachers are happy. When the teachers are happy and students’ are engaged in theirwork then the hard working principal will be happy!