Applied Scholastics

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."

Criticism and Controversy

When, 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, according to an article in the St. Petersburg Times, worried that what was really being fostered was not help for the troubled school but "an insidious plan ultimately aimed at promoting Scientology." However, after closely monitoring the program for more than a year, the principal of the Prescott school was confident Hubbard's program was not teaching Scientology and she was astonished at the rapid and positive results of the program.

In Italy, "Applied Scholastics of Italy and the Mediterranean are recognized by the Government and provides the right for school personnel to be exempt from duty while taking part in this training." In other countries, however, the acceptance of Applied Scholastics is less enthusiastic.

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 claiming a "partnership" with Hazelwood. She admonished Mrs.Slaughter to cease and desist doing so.

Hubbard's "Study Tech" system

Study Technology is billed as an exact system which teaches a person how to effectively learn. It includes the identification of the specific barriers to study, the tools to help a student grasp the material being studied, and the means to organize the basic learning environment toward the attainment of better results for both the student and teacher. The system specifies three barriers to study and spells out how to handle them.

• "Misunderstood words" are words not understood by the student. According to Hubbard, "The only reason a person gives up a study or becomes confused or unable to learn is because he has gone past a word that was not understood." This concept is so important to study technology that the preceding sentence occurs in the beginning of nearly every book published by the Church of Scientology. To remedy this, students are taught to use dictionaries extensively.

• The idea of "Gradients" is taken from the idea of a gentle slope compared to a steep one. Just as one should not attempt algebra until one has mastered arithmetic, Hubbard claims that students should not go on to a more advanced subject until the preceding one is mastered.

• "An absence of mass" means actual, physical universe mass. A rock has a lot of mass while a feather has a little mass. "An absence of mass is hard on a student," Hubbard said. He once used the example of a student learning arithmetic and suggested giving the student some apples to use so the student could demonstrate the idea of addition for himself.

While traditional educational theory recognizes that misunderstood words can hamper comprehension of material, it does not assign it the same importance as Hubbard does. Hubbard claimed that a single misunderstood word on a page can make a student unable to use the information on the page after the misunderstood word.

Applied Scholastics licenses their "study technology" to a small number of Scientologist-run schools throughout the world. In return, these schools pay 4% of their gross income to Applied Scholastics and "promote and protect the Hubbard Philosophy and Technology under and in connection with the Marks and the name of LRH."

It has been observed that Hubbard's study tech concepts are hardly revolutionary, as educators have long known the value of hands-on learning, the need to build new concepts on the foundation of prior knowledge, and that it is important to understand the meanings of words. Proponents of Study Tech stress Hubbard's methodology of using specific physiological responses to determine exactly which "barrier to study" is impeding the student's progress as being new, different, and effective.

See also

• Delphi Schools
• Greenfields School
• Toronto Ability School
• World Literacy Crusade

Notes

• Mallia, Joseph (1998-03-02). "Scientology Unmasked - Milton school shades ties to Scientology". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2007-07-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
• 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 Magazine. Retrieved 2007-07-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• "Applied Scholastics - Study Technology to Overcome Any Barrier". Applied Scholastics International.
• "Scientology v. Education - The Scam of Study Technology". David S. Touretzky and Chris Owen.
• "What is Applied Scholastics?". The President of the Church of Scientology Answers Your Questions. Church of Scientology.
• "Applied Scholastics: Effective Education and Study Technology". A description of Applied Scholastics. Church of Scientology.
• "Applied Scholastics International". An overview of Applied Scholastics International. Church of Scientology.
• "Applied Scientology In Public Schools?". A critical article that highlights Scientology's role in Education. The Watchman Expositor.