Applied Scholastics

Short description: Scientology study techniques organization

Applied Scholastics

Formation| 1972
Type| Educational / Religious
Legal status| Non-profit
Headquarters| Spanish Lake, Missouri
Website| www.appliedscholastics.org

Applied Scholastics is a non-profit corporation founded in 1972 to promote the use of study techniques created by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Hubbard called his theories on learning and education "study technology". Applied Scholastics runs the "Hollywood Education and Literacy Project" (HELP),[1] 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."

Applied Scholastics is sponsored by the Church of Scientology.[2][3]

## Contents

* 1 Study Tech
* 2 Criticism and controversy
* 3 See also
* 4 References
* 5 Further reading
* 6 External links

## Study Tech

Study Tech is a teaching methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard.

Hubbard's theories on education describe three "barriers to learning". The first is the absence of mass, pertaining to the lack of a physical object relating to a concept. The second is a steep study "gradient", meaning a necessary previous step was skipped to master a skill. The third is the "misunderstood word", which necessitates looking up unclear words in the dictionary.[4]

Students are taught that "misunderstood words" are a major cause of confusion and misunderstanding. They are taught to use dictionaries extensively. Emphasis is also put on making sure children are taught at a "gradient", so that a subject's crucial elementary concepts come before more difficult concepts. "Mass" is described as a measure of mental tangibility that students ascribe to a subject, so that students have a picture in their mind of the thing they are learning about.[5]

Applied Scholastics licenses Study Tech to a number of schools throughout the world. In return, these schools pay 4% of their gross income to Applied Scholastics.[6]

## Criticism and controversy

In 1992, Applied Materials 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."[7]

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.[8]

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.[5] Critics worried that the move was "an insidious plan ultimately aimed at promoting Scientology."[5] However, Prescott's principal and two education experts claimed that they "saw [no] hidden Scientology agenda or proselytizing in the text."[5] The school's principal felt that the program was worthwhile.[5] In October 2005, St. Louis Public Schools superintendent Creg Williams discovered the group's Scientology connections and immediately advised area principals to cease working with Applied Scholastics. Additionally, CEO Bennetta Slaughter falsely claimed a "partnership" with the Hazelwood School District in St. Louis.[9]

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.[10]

In 2013, a group of charter schools in Phoenix, Arizona came under criticism for using tools provided by Applied Scholastics.[11]

## See also

* Delphi Schools
* Greenfields School
* Progressive Academy
* World Literacy Crusade

## References

1. ↑ Hollywood Education and Literacy Project
2. ↑ Tighe, Mark (2017-09-24). "Scientologists target schoolchildren". The Sunday Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/scientologists-target-schoolchildren-m0sv2xgk3.
3. ↑ "Scientology's Education Fronts - Applied Scholastics International". 2007. http://www.studytech.org/asi.php.
4. ↑ Walsh, Mark. "Texts highlight scientology's role in education.". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Farley, Robert (2007-05-20). "Scientology makes it in classroom door". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/20/Worldandnation/Scientology_makes_it_.shtml.
6. ↑ ABLE license contract for the use of Applied Scholastics trademarks (PDF format. Archived March 18, 2005)
7. ↑ "Scientologizing". Forbes: pp. 25. September 14, 1992.
8. ↑ Szalanski, Andrea. "'Clearing' Johnny to read". Free Inquiry 18 (2): 12.
9. ↑ Hinman, Kristen (2005-10-26). "L Is for L. Ron - The state approves a tutoring program linked to Scientology, and everybody cries foul". Riverfront Times (Village Voice Media). http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2005-10-26/news/l-is-for-l-ron/full.
10. ↑ "Scientology link at Montessori school alarms parents". CBC News. 2009-09-18. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/scientology-link-at-montessori-school-alarms-parents-1.759185.
11. ↑ "Phoenix Schools Under Fire for Program Linked to Scientology". https://www.npr.org/2013/03/27/174441623/peter-o-dowd-tk.

## Further reading

* Welkos, Robert W.; Sappell, Joel (1990-06-27). "Church Seeks Influence in Schools, Business, Science". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-scientology062790,0,884315,full.story.
* Behar, Richard (1991-05-06). "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power". Time (magazine). http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972865,00.html. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
* Walsh, Jeff (1998-03-01). "A broader look at the organization". Inside the Church of Scientology (Boston Herald).
* Mallia, Joseph (1998-03-02). "Scientology Unmasked - Milton school shades ties to Scientology". Boston Herald.
* Di Matteo, Enzo (1998-12-16). "Scientology wants city's kids - Controversial group tries to spruce up its image with its own brand of back-to-basics schooling". Now. http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/18/15/News/feature.html.
* Doward, Jamie (2004-05-16). "Lure of the celebrity sect". Special reports (The Observer). http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1217884,00.html.
* Jacobs, Robin (2004-09-01). "Is Scientology in Your Schools?". The Humanist. http://www.thehumanist.org/humanist/articles/JacobsSeptOct04.pdf.
* Hinman, Kristen (2005-12-07). "Applied Pressure - Should St. Louis County grant tax breaks to Scientology-linked tutoring programs?". Riverfront Times. Village Voice Media. http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2005-12-07/news/applied-pressure/.
* Reitman, Janet (2006-02-23). "Inside Scientology". Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/9363363/inside_scientology/print. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
* Kleinhubbert, Guido (2006-06-22). "Scientology in Germany: Suspicious Tutoring". Spiegel Online (Der Spiegel). http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,422970,00.html.
* Murphy, Kevin (2006-12-15). "Odenwald Critical Of Campisi's 3 Absences". Webster-Kirkwood Times. http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/1editorialbody.lasso?-token.folder=2006-12-15&-token.story=65584.113117&-token.subpub=.
* Didcock, Barry (2007-02-17). "Hubbard Love". Sunday Herald. http://www.sundayherald.com/search/display.var.1200747.0.hubbard_love.php.
* Stark, Holger; Rosenbach, Marcel (2007-03-27). "Scientology's New European Offensive: The March of the 'Orgs'". Spiegel Online (Der Spiegel). http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,473896,00.html.
* Eighinger, Steve (2007-06-02). "Quincy to be Literacy Center's main office". Quincy Herald Whig. http://www.whig.com/315345759616283.php.
* Sedensky, Matt (2007-08-11). "Scientologists find unlikely allies in other faiths". Florida Times-Union. http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/080807/D8QT4MK00.shtml.
* Schultz, Frank (2007-08-29). "School to use Hubbard theories". Janesville Gazette. http://www.gazetteextra.com/sequoiaacademy082907.asp.
* Hilliard, Chloe (2007-09-11). "Xenu Goes Uptown - Scientology Makes a Major Move into Harlem. But why?". Runnin' Scared. Village Voice. http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0737,hilliard,77778,2.html.

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