Applied Scholastics
Encyclopedia
Applied Scholastics is a non-profit corporation founded in 1972 to promote the use of study techniques created by L. Ron Hubbard
, a science fiction author and the founder of the Church of Scientology
. Hubbard called his theories on learning and education "study technology." Applied Scholastics runs the "Hollywood Education and Literacy Project" (HELP), the World Literacy Crusade
, "Education Alive", and the "Literacy, Education and Abilities Program" (LEAP).
Applied Scholastics' declared mission is: "to promote and develop programs of effective education for educators, business trainers, tutors, parents, children and people in all walks of life who need improved study skills to enhance their scholastic, business and personal activities."
It is regarded by critics as a front group for the Church of Scientology
. It is a member organization of the Clear Expansion Committee, which is a geographical grouping of Scientology entities with the aim of clearing
the entire community and eventually building a Scientology world.
Students are taught that "Misunderstood Words" are the cause of all confusion or misunderstanding. They are taught to use dictionaries extensively. Emphasis is also put on "Steep Gradients", or the idea that subjects which are most complex should not be taught before crucial elementary concepts. "Mass" is described as a measure of mental tangibility that a student ascribes to a subject.
Applied Scholastics licenses Study tech
to a small number of schools throughout the world. In return, these schools pay 4% of their gross income
to Applied Scholastics.
settled a lawsuit for an estimated $600,000. The lawsuit claimed that the three former employees who filed the lawsuit had been driven out of the company because they had complained about the seminars Applied Scholastics had been contracted to teach there. Applied Scholastics said regarding the case, "In ten years of business, we've never had anything come up like this."
In 1998, the group submitted five of its books for approval as supplemental classroom texts to the California Department of Education
. The review board found no religious content to object to, although they did object to the lack of portrayals of disabled persons and people of color. The Southern California American Civil Liberties Union
, however, objected on the basis that the books used many of the terms and concepts that the Church of Scientology uses elsewhere in its Study Tech
.
In the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
, Applied Scholastics convinced the principal of Prescott Middle School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
to implement a program of Study Tech. Critics worried that the move was "an insidious plan ultimately aimed at promoting Scientology." However, Prescott's principal and two education experts claimed that they "saw [no] hidden Scientology agenda or proselytizing in the text." The school's principal felt that the program was worthwhile . In October 2005, St. Louis
Public Schools superintendent Creg Williams discovered the group's Scientology connections and immediately put out the word to area principals to cease working with Applied Scholastics. Additionally, St. Louis' Hazelwood School District superintendent Chris Wright discovered that CEO Bennetta Slaughter had been falsely claiming a "partnership" with Hazelwood. She admonished Mrs. Slaughter to cease and desist doing so.
Some parents were upset when Applied Scholastics methods were introduced in September 2008 at Bambolino Montessori
Academy, a private school in Toronto
. The owner/principal and dean of the school are both Scientologists but they say that Applied Scholastics is secular and that they do not teach Scientology.
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
, a science fiction author and the founder of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
. Hubbard called his theories on learning and education "study technology." Applied Scholastics runs the "Hollywood Education and Literacy Project" (HELP), the World Literacy Crusade
World Literacy Crusade
World Literacy Crusade is a non-profit group fighting illiteracy formed in 1992 by the Rev. Alfreddie Johnson. The group utilizes "study technologies" and "drug rehabilitation technologies" developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction author and founder of the Church of Scientology...
, "Education Alive", and the "Literacy, Education and Abilities Program" (LEAP).
Applied Scholastics' declared mission is: "to promote and develop programs of effective education for educators, business trainers, tutors, parents, children and people in all walks of life who need improved study skills to enhance their scholastic, business and personal activities."
It is regarded by critics as a front group for the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
. It is a member organization of the Clear Expansion Committee, which is a geographical grouping of Scientology entities with the aim of clearing
Clear (Scientology)
Clear in Dianetics and Scientology is one of two levels a practitioner can achieve on the way to personal salvation. A state of Clear is reached when a person becomes free of the influence of engrams, unwanted emotions or painful traumas not readily available to the conscious mind...
the entire community and eventually building a Scientology world.
Study Tech
Study Tech is a teaching methodology developed by L Ron Hubbard.Students are taught that "Misunderstood Words" are the cause of all confusion or misunderstanding. They are taught to use dictionaries extensively. Emphasis is also put on "Steep Gradients", or the idea that subjects which are most complex should not be taught before crucial elementary concepts. "Mass" is described as a measure of mental tangibility that a student ascribes to a subject.
Applied Scholastics licenses Study tech
Study Tech
Study Technology, or Study Tech, is a methodology for learning developed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology. Hubbard's "Study Technology" is used by Church of Scientology members as part of their training, and is also promoted outside the church by a church-affiliated...
to a small number of schools throughout the world. In return, these schools pay 4% of their gross income
Gross income
Gross income in United States tax law is receipts and gains from all sources less cost of goods sold. Gross income is the starting point for determining Federal and state income tax of individuals, corporations, estates and trusts, whether resident or nonresident."Except as otherwise provided" by...
to Applied Scholastics.
Criticism and controversy
In 1992, Applied MaterialsApplied Materials
Applied Materials, Inc. is a capital equipment producer serving the semiconductor, TFT LCD display, Glass, WEB and solar manufacturing industries....
settled a lawsuit for an estimated $600,000. The lawsuit claimed that the three former employees who filed the lawsuit had been driven out of the company because they had complained about the seminars Applied Scholastics had been contracted to teach there. Applied Scholastics said regarding the case, "In ten years of business, we've never had anything come up like this."
In 1998, the group submitted five of its books for approval as supplemental classroom texts to the California Department of Education
California Department of Education
The California Department of Education is a California agency that oversees public education. The department oversees funding and testing, and holds local educational agencies accountable for student achievement...
. The review board found no religious content to object to, although they did object to the lack of portrayals of disabled persons and people of color. The Southern California American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
, however, objected on the basis that the books used many of the terms and concepts that the Church of Scientology uses elsewhere in its Study Tech
Study Tech
Study Technology, or Study Tech, is a methodology for learning developed by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology. Hubbard's "Study Technology" is used by Church of Scientology members as part of their training, and is also promoted outside the church by a church-affiliated...
.
In the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, Applied Scholastics convinced the principal of Prescott Middle School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
to implement a program of Study Tech. Critics worried that the move was "an insidious plan ultimately aimed at promoting Scientology." However, Prescott's principal and two education experts claimed that they "saw [no] hidden Scientology agenda or proselytizing in the text." The school's principal felt that the program was worthwhile . In October 2005, St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
Public Schools superintendent Creg Williams discovered the group's Scientology connections and immediately put out the word to area principals to cease working with Applied Scholastics. Additionally, St. Louis' Hazelwood School District superintendent Chris Wright discovered that CEO Bennetta Slaughter had been falsely claiming a "partnership" with Hazelwood. She admonished Mrs. Slaughter to cease and desist doing so.
Some parents were upset when Applied Scholastics methods were introduced in September 2008 at Bambolino Montessori
Montessori method
Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. Montessori education is practiced in an estimated 20,000 schools worldwide, serving children from birth to eighteen years old.-Overview:...
Academy, a private school in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The owner/principal and dean of the school are both Scientologists but they say that Applied Scholastics is secular and that they do not teach Scientology.
See also
- Delphi SchoolsDelphi SchoolsDelphi Schools, Inc. operates private schools that use the study methods known as Study Tech that were developed by L. Ron Hubbard. The headquarters for Delphi Schools, Inc. are located at on the property of the Delphian School in unincorporated Yamhill County, Oregon, near Sheridan. The...
- Greenfields SchoolGreenfields SchoolGreenfields School is an Applied Scholastics and Independent Schools Association private school on the edge of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, England. It is unique as being the only Study Tech-based private school of its kind in the area...
- Toronto Ability SchoolToronto Ability SchoolToronto Ability School was a private school for K-8, located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It is unique as being the only Church of Scientology school of its kind in the area...
- World Literacy CrusadeWorld Literacy CrusadeWorld Literacy Crusade is a non-profit group fighting illiteracy formed in 1992 by the Rev. Alfreddie Johnson. The group utilizes "study technologies" and "drug rehabilitation technologies" developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the science fiction author and founder of the Church of Scientology...