Applied Scholastics

Not to be confused with Scholastics or Scholastic.

Applied Scholastics (APS) is an organization that promotes and licenses the use of study techniques created by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Applied Scholastics is operated by the Church of Scientology.

Applied Scholastics

Applied Scholastics International
Location within Los Angeles
Abbreviation	APS
Formation	1972
Founded at	Los Angeles, California
Type	Educational
Legal status	Non-profit
Purpose	Advancing the educational technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard^[1]
Headquarters	7065 Hollywood Blvd, Ste 200, Los Angeles, California
Coordinates	34°06′06″N 118°20′38″W / 34.101723°N 118.343791°W / 34.101723; -118.343791
Parent organization	Association for Better Living and Education^[2]^[3]^: 171n
Affiliations	Church of Scientology
Website	appliedscholastics.org
Formerly called	Applied Scholastics Incorporated (1972–2000)
^[1]

Overview

Applied Scholastics, abbreviated "APS", was founded in 1972 by the Church of Scientology in order to disseminate L. Ron Hubbard's learning and teaching methods outside of a religious context. However, Hubbard's methods, which he called "study technology", are an integral part of Scientology practices and is considered a form of indoctrination into and within Scientology.^[3]: 181

Applied Scholastics is classified as a dissemination organization in the Church of Scientology network hierarchy.^[4] APS falls under the Association for Better Living and Education umbrella which was established in 1987. Prior to that, APS was managed under the Social Coordination Bureau of the Guardian's Office (SoCo).^[5]: 391 The organization is staffed by Scientology officials, and it licenses the methods and materials to other organizations, and oversees their use.^{[6][7][3]: 169}

Applied Scholastics was included in the 1993 closing agreement between the IRS and the Church of Scientology, and was classified as a Scientology-related entity, thus granting it non-profit status.^{[8][3]: 171n} As such, parents of children attending private schools licensed by APS can deduct the cost of tuition from their income tax returns.^[3]: 171n

Scientologist celebrities have been used to promote Applied Scholastics,^[3]: 268 including John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Isaac Hayes, Lisa Marie Presley, and Ann Archer.^{[9][10]: 9 [11]} In 1997, Travolta met with President Bill Clinton to promote the program,^[3]: 270 and later Tom Cruise took up the banner to obtain government funding and met with the Secretary of Education.^{[3]: 286–7} By 2003, APS materials and tutoring programs were approved in several states.^{[3]: 286-7,360}

Applied Scholastics has closely managed several service organizations, including:

• Applied Scholastics Hollywood—formerly called the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project (HELP).^[12][9]
• Education Alive^{[5]: 392 [4]}
• Effective Education Association in the UK^[5]: 392
• Literacy, Education and Abilities Program (LEAP), which was associated with the Mission of Scientology of Memphis^[11]
• World Literacy Crusade^[10]: 9

Study Tech

Main article: Study Technology

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.^[13]

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.^[14]

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.^[15]

Publishing

Applied Scholastics markets several books that are "Based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard" and were copyrighted by L. Ron Hubbard Library and printed by Bridge Publications, the publishing arm of the Church of Scientology.^[16][17][a] Later, the books were re-published under the imprint "Effective Education Publishing".^[18] They include:

• Learning How to Learn. 1992.
• Study Skills for Life. 1992.
• Basic Study Manual. 1990.
• How to Use a Dictionary. 1990.
• Grammar and Communication. 1992.
• Communicating is Fun. 1992.

Though the books contain a biography of Hubbard, they omit mentioning his role as the founder of Scientology. The books do not mention any connection with Scientology.^[19]

Applied Scholastics has also teamed up with educational publisher Heron Books, operated by Delphi Schools, to provide a collection of L. Ron Hubbard's writings on study, education and children.^[20][21]

Criticism and controversy

In the 1980's Applied Scholastics, Inc., operating as a management consulting group and boasting a stable of high-tech clients, was the subject of a legal dispute between one of their clients, Applied Materials (AM), and three of AM's former employees. The former employees sued AM claiming they were driven out of the company after they complained about the Applied Scholastics training seminars and "refused to be trained under the doctrines of L. Ron Hubbard's Church of Scientology". Applied Scholastics was also named as a defendant in the suit. Employees at AM confirmed that "Scientology teachings were used regularly by the company during self-improvement and confidence seminars led by a company called Applied Scholastics". AM settled for an estimated $600,000 and admitted the company "lacked sensitivity with regard to the controversial nature of L. Ron Hubbard".^[22][23]

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.^[24]

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.^[14] Critics worried that the move was "an insidious plan ultimately aimed at promoting Scientology."^[14] However, Prescott's principal and two education experts claimed that they "saw [no] hidden Scientology agenda or proselytizing in the text."^[14] The school's principal felt that the program was worthwhile.^[14] 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.^[25]

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.^[26]

The Georgia Board of Education had approved Applied Scholastics in 2006 for a three-year license to tutor under a federal program which pays to tutor students from public schools which don't meet minimum academic criteria. In 2009, four complaints were lodged against Applied Scholastic in Cobb County concerned about their connection with Scientology and about keeping religion out of education. Georgia education officials then began inspections to ensure Applied Scholastics' policies and teachings were geared toward secular instruction.^[27]

In 2013, a group of charter schools in Phoenix, Arizona came under criticism for using tools provided by Applied Scholastics.^[28]

See also

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

Notes

1. David S. Touretzky of Carnegie Mellon University comments: "A curious fact about the Study Tech books is that they list no author or editor. The covers all say "Based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard", and the copyright registration is held by the L. Ron Hubbard Library, the business alias of the Church of Scientology's corporate alter ego, the Church of Spiritual Technology. But while the copyright dates are 1992 (or in the case of the Basic Study Manual, 1990), Hubbard died in 1986. So who wrote these books? The decision to list no author or editor was made by Scientology's publisher, Bridge Publications, on the grounds that: "Mr. Hubbard was the author of the ideas and the technology of study... As they are Mr. Hubbard's ideas and methodologies, and his alone, Bridge Publications assigned the credit where it is incontrovertibly due, to L. Ron Hubbard, the originator." (Scott D. Welch, Senior Vice President of Bridge Publications, in a letter to the editor of Education Week, published October 10, 1997)" ^[17]

References

1. "Corporate documents". Secretary of State of California. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
2. Mantesso, Sean (May 4, 2019). "Scientology's controversial push to enter schools with learning material — including in Australia". ABC News (Australia).
3. Reitman, Janet (2011). Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780618883028. OL 24881847M.
4. "Excerpt from The Command Channels of Scientology" (PDF). Church of Scientology. p. 21. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via David S. Touretzky.
5. Atack, Jon (1990). A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard Exposed. Lyle Stuart Books. ISBN 081840499X. OL 9429654M.
6. Tighe, Mark (September 24, 2017). "Scientologists target schoolchildren". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
7. "Scientology's Education Fronts - Applied Scholastics International". studytech.org. 2007. from the original on May 14, 2008.
8. "Scientology Settles With IRS". The Wall Street Journal. December 30, 1997.
9. . Hollywood Education and Literacy Project. Archived from the original on January 28, 2001. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
10. Lewis, James R., ed. (2009). Scientology. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195331493.001.0001. ISBN 9780199852321. OL 16943235M.
11. . Lisa Marie Presley. Archived from the original on February 4, 2005.
12. "About". Applied Scholastics Hollywood. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
13. Walsh, Mark. "Texts highlight scientology's role in education". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232.
14. Farley, Robert (May 20, 2007). "Scientology makes it in classroom door". St. Petersburg Times. from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
15. (PDF format. Archived March 18, 2005)
16. Frenschkowsky, Marco (2015). "L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology: An annotated bibliographical survey of primary and selected secondary literature". Marburg Journal of Religion: 9. doi:10.17192/mjr.1999.4.3760. There are also many books published by Scientology organisations as "based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard". These usually are selected and thematically linked passages from his original books.
17. • Touretzky, David S. (November 30, 2000). "Study Tech – Essay Part 1". "Study Tech – Essay Part 2".
    • "Scientology's Fraudulent Study Technology". David S. Touretzky.
18. . effectiveeducationpublishing.org. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Effective Education Publishing is a division of Applied Scholastics International. Applied Scholastics is a non-profit educational institution that provides educational materials and services based on the works of ... L. Ron Hubbard.
19. Farley, Robert (May 20, 2007). . Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013.
20. "The Applied Scholastics Educator's Package". Applied Scholastics Spanish Lake.
21. "Based on the Works of L. Ron Hubbard". Heron Books.
22. "Scientologizing". Forbes. September 14, 1992. p. 25.
23. Goldman, James S. (March 30, 1992). "Lawsuit ties Applied Materials to Scientology teachings". The Business Journal. 5 (50).
24. Szalanski, Andrea (Spring 1998). "'Clearing' Johnny to read". Free Inquiry. 18 (2): 12.
25. Hinman, Kristen (October 26, 2005). "L Is for L. Ron - The state approves a tutoring program linked to Scientology, and everybody cries foul". Riverfront Times. Village Voice Media. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
26. "Scientology link at Montessori school alarms parents". CBC News. September 18, 2009. from the original on September 23, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
27. • Mcwhirter, Cameron; Vogell, Heather (March 1, 2009). "Controversial church linked to tutors on state list". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
    • "Ca. officials investigate tutoring firm's links to scientology church". Church & State. Vol. 62, no. 4. Americans United for Separation of Church and State. April 2009.
28. O'Dowd, Peter (March 27, 2013). "Phoenix Schools Under Fire for Program Linked to Scientology". NPR.

Further reading

• Welkos, Robert W.; Sappell, Joel (June 27, 1990). "Church Seeks Influence in Schools, Business, Science". Los Angeles Times. from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Behar, Richard (May 6, 1991). . Time. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Walsh, Jeff (March 1, 1998). "A broader look at the organization". Inside the Church of Scientology. Boston Herald.
• Mallia, Joseph (March 2, 1998). "Scientology Unmasked - Milton school shades ties to Scientology". Boston Herald.
• Di Matteo, Enzo (December 16, 1998). . Now. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2007.
• Doward, Jamie (May 16, 2004). "Lure of the celebrity sect". Special reports. The Observer. from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Jacobs, Robin (September 1, 2004). (PDF). The Humanist. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Hinman, Kristen (December 7, 2005). "Applied Pressure - Should St. Louis County grant tax breaks to Scientology-linked tutoring programs?". Riverfront Times. Village Voice Media. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Kleinhubbert, Guido (June 22, 2006). "Scientology in Germany: Suspicious Tutoring". Spiegel Online. Der Spiegel. from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Murphy, Kevin (December 15, 2006). "Odenwald Critical Of Campisi's 3 Absences". Webster-Kirkwood Times. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Didcock, Barry (February 17, 2007). . Sunday Herald. Archived from the original on August 30, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Stark, Holger; Rosenbach, Marcel (March 27, 2007). "Scientology's New European Offensive: The March of the 'Orgs'". Spiegel Online. Der Spiegel. from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Eighinger, Steve (June 2, 2007). . Quincy Herald Whig. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Sedensky, Matt (August 11, 2007). "Scientologists find unlikely allies in other faiths". Florida Times-Union. Associated Press. from the original on October 25, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Schultz, Frank (August 29, 2007). . Janesville Gazette. Archived from the original on April 13, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
• Hilliard, Chloe (September 11, 2007). "Xenu Goes Uptown - Scientology Makes a Major Move into Harlem. But why?". Runnin' Scared. Village Voice. from the original on September 15, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007.

External links

• Official website
•   Scientology ties at New Village Leadership Academy stir controversy for Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith at Wikinews