Whether it's a school refurbishment in Nigeria or a PTO in
California, human nature is universal. Given motive and access
to unsupervised cash, even the most sincere PTO mom might go
shopping at Ann Taylor, as Trace Elementary PTO
president Vanessa Reyes did -- for $20,000 in
luxury goods.
California, human nature is universal. Given motive and access
to unsupervised cash, even the most sincere PTO mom might go
shopping at Ann Taylor, as Trace Elementary PTO
president Vanessa Reyes did -- for $20,000 in
luxury goods.
|
For myself, I started asking about Hall's administration four years
ago; her then-PR guy stonewalled me on her spending records.
There's no quicker way to rouse suspicions than to refuse to
answer simple questions. I started asking more questions but
was unable to gain any traction with the locals including AJC; they
were still honeymooning with Hall, smitten by her miracles,
content to bask in the reflected glory.
ago; her then-PR guy stonewalled me on her spending records.
There's no quicker way to rouse suspicions than to refuse to
answer simple questions. I started asking more questions but
was unable to gain any traction with the locals including AJC; they
were still honeymooning with Hall, smitten by her miracles,
content to bask in the reflected glory.
| WHO ARE THESE FOLKS? ARE THEY STILL ON BOARD? We found the names of these Cosmos Foundation, Inc. board members -- charter operators for the Harmony schools -- not at the Cosmos or Harmony websites in Texas, but half a continent away at GuideStar, on Cosmos Foundation's FY 2008 IRS 990 form: |
| P E Y T O N W O L C O T T |
How we take back our children's education: one person, one question, one school at a time. |
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| Copyright 1999-2011 Peyton Wolcott |
| Just because you can doesn't mean you should. |
| H o w w e t a k e b a c k o u r c h i l d r e n ' s e d u c a t i o n : o n e p e r s o n , o n e q u e s t i o n , o n e s c h o o l a t a t i m e . F o l l o w t h e m o n e y , h o n e y ! |
| Texas Hill Country - Mesquite and Wildflowers Boerne |
| Bringing you the information and tools you need in order to improve public education and lower taxes and spending; during the past two decades of the voucher debate an entire generation has grown up in the public school system. If you don't think this is important look at the Nov. 2008 election where folks voted based on emotions and hope rather than facts. Let's put a stop to the school-to-prison pipeline -- and keep our public schools locally run, strong and free.. |
| July 2011 |
| ONER U CELEPCIKAY |
| MUSTAFA ATIK |
| KADIR ALMUS |
| ELLEN A MACDONAL (sic) (correct spelling "MacDonald") |
| DR. SONER TARIM |
| BILAL AKIN |
| CENGIZHAN KESKIN |
| DR. IBRAHIM SEL |
| TURKS IN TEXAS: Harmony charter schools' & Cosmos Foundation, Inc.'s ties to Turkey |
MORE FACTS:
| SOURCE--Cosmos Foundation, Inc. |
D-Day 2011: Turks in Texas
By Peyton Wolcott
June 8, 2011 - 3:34 a.m.
On June 6 the Texas Senate Education Committee -- the
majority of whose members accepted a total of $15,000
from the Texas Charter School Association's paid
lobbyists -- voted a charter school bill, SB 31, out of
committee, 8-0, with one senator (John Carona) absent.
This is a sincere question: If this is not pay to play, what
is?
Is this what my husband risked his life in Korea and Viet
Nam to protect, the right of lobbyists to hustle cash for
our elected officials' votes?
5th time's a charm
This was the Education Committee chair's 5th attempt (in
4 months) to pass this bill which would give all Texas
charter schools -- including the Turkish-run Cosmos
Foundation/Harmony charter operation -- a Permanent
School Fund guarantee for their construction bonds.
We're not fighting the bill, just asking that 3 simple
fiduciary duty-of-care safeguards be added:
By Peyton Wolcott
June 8, 2011 - 3:34 a.m.
On June 6 the Texas Senate Education Committee -- the
majority of whose members accepted a total of $15,000
from the Texas Charter School Association's paid
lobbyists -- voted a charter school bill, SB 31, out of
committee, 8-0, with one senator (John Carona) absent.
This is a sincere question: If this is not pay to play, what
is?
Is this what my husband risked his life in Korea and Viet
Nam to protect, the right of lobbyists to hustle cash for
our elected officials' votes?
5th time's a charm
This was the Education Committee chair's 5th attempt (in
4 months) to pass this bill which would give all Texas
charter schools -- including the Turkish-run Cosmos
Foundation/Harmony charter operation -- a Permanent
School Fund guarantee for their construction bonds.
We're not fighting the bill, just asking that 3 simple
fiduciary duty-of-care safeguards be added:
| Why so many Turks in Texas? Why was Texas singled out for so much aggressive expansion by the Turks? Is it our robust economy? Our lax charter school regs? With 34 Turkish charter campuses, more than any other state, nothing against the fine Turkish nation--despite its problem with dirty laundry and the recent arrests of 68 journalists--but no one with whom I've spoken can name a comparable French or Irish or Brazilian inroad into US public education. Can you? |
| Texas state senators Florence Shapiro (above) and Dan Patrick (below) spoke eloquently at the Texas senate's wind-down in May 2011 of their passion for charter schools; both have accepted charter school PAC cash. |
- Senate Education
Committee Vice Chair
Dan Patrick - $2,500 from charter
school PAC lobbyist - Voted YES on charter
school bill SB 31
- US citizenship for charter operator board members
(like all ISD trustees) and top administrators. - Names, titles & bios of all board members & top
administrators online (like KIPP already does). - Online check registers (like 70% of all local
school dollars are already).
- Senate Education
Committee Chair
Florence Shapiro - $4,000 from charter
school PAC lobbyist - Authored & voted
YES on charter
school bill SB 31
The House likes the 3 safeguards
House Ways & Means added all 3 of our safeguards before
voting a prior incarnation of this bill out of committee.
SB 31 includes a promise that in the event a charter operator
defaults on their construction bond they have to give back the
10% projected savings. On what planet? If a charter operator's
defaulted on their bond, they're not likely to still have the
mythical 10%. So what do we do, send TEA to Turkey to seize
desks and chairs? Like TEA needs more desks? Or more
things to do when we keep cutting their budget?
The $25 billion Permanent School Fund -- interest from which
funds free textbooks for all Texas students -- still exists after a
century and a half because many people have taken good care
of it. Even the high-dollar charter lobbyist who wanted to talk
with us agreed the 3 safeguards are reasonable. Why then isn't
the Senate?
House Ways & Means added all 3 of our safeguards before
voting a prior incarnation of this bill out of committee.
SB 31 includes a promise that in the event a charter operator
defaults on their construction bond they have to give back the
10% projected savings. On what planet? If a charter operator's
defaulted on their bond, they're not likely to still have the
mythical 10%. So what do we do, send TEA to Turkey to seize
desks and chairs? Like TEA needs more desks? Or more
things to do when we keep cutting their budget?
The $25 billion Permanent School Fund -- interest from which
funds free textbooks for all Texas students -- still exists after a
century and a half because many people have taken good care
of it. Even the high-dollar charter lobbyist who wanted to talk
with us agreed the 3 safeguards are reasonable. Why then isn't
the Senate?
The Grey Lady visits a Red State
The otherwise xenophobic Manhattan-loving New York Times has taken notice of our
Turkish charter operators all the way down here in Texas; Stephanie Saul's piece
published on D-Day.
Some highlights:
The otherwise xenophobic Manhattan-loving New York Times has taken notice of our
Turkish charter operators all the way down here in Texas; Stephanie Saul's piece
published on D-Day.
Some highlights:
| While educating schoolchildren across Texas, the group has also nurtured a close-knit network of businesses and organizations run by Turkish immigrants. The businesses include not just big contractors like TDM but also a growing assemblage of smaller vendors selling school lunches, uniforms, after-school programs, Web design, teacher training and even special education assessments. Some of the schools’ operators and founders, and many of their suppliers, are followers of Fethullah Gulen, a charismatic Turkish preacher of a moderate brand of Islam whose devotees have built a worldwide religious, social and nationalistic movement in his name. Gulen followers have been involved in starting similar schools around the country — there are about 120 in all, mostly in urban centers in 25 states, one of the largest collections of charter schools in America. |
| An examination by The New York Times of the Harmony Schools in Texas casts light on a different area: the way they spend public money. And it raises questions about whether, ultimately, the schools are using taxpayer dollars to benefit the Gulen movement — by giving business to Gulen followers, or through financial arrangements with local foundations that promote Gulen teachings and Turkish culture. Harmony Schools officials say they scrupulously avoid teaching about religion, and they deny any official connection to the Gulen movement. |
| Records show that virtually all recent construction and renovation work has been done by Turkish-owned contractors. Several established local companies said they had lost out even after bidding several hundred thousand dollars lower. “It kind of boils my blood a little bit, all the money that was spent, when I know it could have been done for less,” said Deborah Jones, an owner of daj Construction, one of four lower bidders who failed to win a recent contract for a school renovation in the Austin area. Harmony’s history underscores the vast latitude that many charter school systems have been granted to spend public funds. While the degree of oversight varies widely from state to state, the rush to approve charter schools has meant that some barely monitor charter school operations. |
So, again, in the event of a default on their PSF-guaranteed construction bonds, TEA's
going to fly over to Istanbul and seize furniture and equipment? Not so far-fetched a
notion: Many of the original Cosmos Foundation/Harmony charter applicants --
almost all of whom originally hail from Turkey -- have moved away or disappeared
from public notice.
Better to be safe than sorry and include the 3 easy safeguards, friends, for those
charter operators seeking the PSF guarantee: (1) US citizenship for all charter
operator board members (like for ISD trustees) and top administrators; (2) names,
titles & bios of all board members & top admin. posted online (like KIPP is already
doing); and (2) online check registers (like 70% of all ISD dollars already are)..
going to fly over to Istanbul and seize furniture and equipment? Not so far-fetched a
notion: Many of the original Cosmos Foundation/Harmony charter applicants --
almost all of whom originally hail from Turkey -- have moved away or disappeared
from public notice.
Better to be safe than sorry and include the 3 easy safeguards, friends, for those
charter operators seeking the PSF guarantee: (1) US citizenship for all charter
operator board members (like for ISD trustees) and top administrators; (2) names,
titles & bios of all board members & top admin. posted online (like KIPP is already
doing); and (2) online check registers (like 70% of all ISD dollars already are)..
| Harmony official at Texas Lege, May 2011 |
You really must study this New York Times graphic: somebody's done a
lot of careful work here following the money:
lot of careful work here following the money:
In addition to tying the Cosmos Foundation's Harmony charter operation to Fethullah
Gulen, the Times also looks at their handling of tax dollars:
Gulen, the Times also looks at their handling of tax dollars:
| Newest Harmony charter school (Austin, Texas) |
| JUNE 19, 2011 UPDATE FROM PEYTON: I have contacted Cosmos/Harmony superintendent Soner Tarim several times now but he has not yet -- more than a year later -- told us basic factual information about the 33 (NY Times) or 34 (the figure a Harmony administrator told me recently at the Capitol) or 36 (the new number posted on Harmony's website) campuses he operates in Texas -- for which he has been given over a quarter of a billion dollars by taxpayers in the past 3 1/2 years. Still, Harmony through its membership in the Texas Charter School Association continues to seek the same Permanent School Fund guarantee for their construction bonds as enjoyed by Texas public school districts run by elected trustees -- not appointed board members as at charters. His PR pro, former White House staffer Karen Hughes, has also declined to give us any factual information -- such as how much money Harmony is paying her and her firm, Burson-Marsteller. |
Let's follow the money from TCSA ... to their lobbyists Delisi
Communications PAC ... to Texas senators & representatives as they
have written legislation during the past 4 months attempting to give PSF
guarantees to charter operators for their construction bonds:
Communications PAC ... to Texas senators & representatives as they
have written legislation during the past 4 months attempting to give PSF
guarantees to charter operators for their construction bonds:
________
3 FIDUCIARY DUTY-OF-CARE SAFEGUARDS should be included
in any legislation passed by 82nd Legislature that grants access to Permanent School Fund
guarantees for charter school operators' construction bonds:
Larger political, economic & cultural issue: The Cosmos Foundation and
similar Gulenist organizations elsewhere in the world have for a decade now used
education and commerce to advance Turkish culture and causes. We're wondering why
don't they stay home and improve Turkey first, then when Turkey's in tip-top shape
come over here and tell us about it ? Turkey appears to have a large number of problems
including the arrest of 68 journalists who have spoken against Fethullah Gulen.
Why so many Turks in Texas? Why has Texas soil been the most fertile for the
US expansion of Turkish run charter schools, 36 in 10 years? Texas is a conservative state
that embraces both charter schools and commerce. The PSF guarantee for the Turks'
construction bonds (6 bills attempted in the past 4 months) will allow them to go into
hyperdrive expansion here in Texas and at least 6 other announced states.
Concerns about the general expansion of charter schools in Texas: UT
professor Ed Fuller has challenged Harmony charter schools' claims of 100% graduation
and 0 dropouts by following 6 cohorts; by their junior year the graduation rate had already
dropped to 62%. Many charters claim huge numbers of applications but no outsiders have
seen the applications; it's easy for anyone to claim anything. Also, unlike local ISD
boards, charter operators' boards are statewide or national and parents have little
information about -- or ballot box recourse to -- their leadership. Once the Cosmos
Foundation expands, for example, the same 8-person board (per IRS 990 forms for FY
2008) will run schools in 7 states. Further, unlike local ISD trustees, Cosmos board
members are not required to be US citizens and in fact their dominant leadership is
Turkish. Finally, as the nation's largest H1-B visa users, the FBI is investigating all
Gulen-related charter operators.
in any legislation passed by 82nd Legislature that grants access to Permanent School Fund
guarantees for charter school operators' construction bonds:
Larger political, economic & cultural issue: The Cosmos Foundation and
similar Gulenist organizations elsewhere in the world have for a decade now used
education and commerce to advance Turkish culture and causes. We're wondering why
don't they stay home and improve Turkey first, then when Turkey's in tip-top shape
come over here and tell us about it ? Turkey appears to have a large number of problems
including the arrest of 68 journalists who have spoken against Fethullah Gulen.
Why so many Turks in Texas? Why has Texas soil been the most fertile for the
US expansion of Turkish run charter schools, 36 in 10 years? Texas is a conservative state
that embraces both charter schools and commerce. The PSF guarantee for the Turks'
construction bonds (6 bills attempted in the past 4 months) will allow them to go into
hyperdrive expansion here in Texas and at least 6 other announced states.
Concerns about the general expansion of charter schools in Texas: UT
professor Ed Fuller has challenged Harmony charter schools' claims of 100% graduation
and 0 dropouts by following 6 cohorts; by their junior year the graduation rate had already
dropped to 62%. Many charters claim huge numbers of applications but no outsiders have
seen the applications; it's easy for anyone to claim anything. Also, unlike local ISD
boards, charter operators' boards are statewide or national and parents have little
information about -- or ballot box recourse to -- their leadership. Once the Cosmos
Foundation expands, for example, the same 8-person board (per IRS 990 forms for FY
2008) will run schools in 7 states. Further, unlike local ISD trustees, Cosmos board
members are not required to be US citizens and in fact their dominant leadership is
Turkish. Finally, as the nation's largest H1-B visa users, the FBI is investigating all
Gulen-related charter operators.
| 700 Lavaca Suite 930 Austin, TX 78701 Delisi, Dianne W. (00021123) 823 Congress Suite 1000B Austin, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $25,000 - $49,999.99 Delisi, Thomas (00064063) 823 Congress Suite 1000B Austin, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $25,000 - $49,999.99 Client - Start: 01/01/2011 Term Date: 03/02/2011 Duckett, Joellen (00065319) 700 LAVACA STREET SUITE 930 AUSTIN, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $10,000 - $24,999.99 Client - Start: 01/24/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Dunn, David (00037709) 700 LAVACA STREET SUITE 930 AUSTIN, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $25,000 - $49,999.99 Client - Start: 01/31/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Garcia, Veronica (00066715) 700 LAVACA STREET SUITE 930 AUSTIN, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $10,000 - $24,999.99 Client - Start: 03/11/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Glenn, Eric (00038847) 1122 Colorado Suite 200 Austin, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective Less Than $10,000.00 Client - Start: 01/18/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Janek, Kyle L. (00020534) 919 Congress Ave Suite 1500 Austin, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $25,000 - $49,999.99 Client - Start: 01/14/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Laibovitz, Megan (00067149) 1122 Colorado Suite 200 Austin, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $ 0.00 Client - Start: 01/18/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Love, Jarod Alan (00065256) 823 Congress Suite 1000B Austin, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $25,000 - $49,999.99 Client - Start: 01/01/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Matthews, C. L. (00042976) 1122 Colorado Suite 200 Austin, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $10,000 - $24,999.99 Client - Start: 01/18/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 Thomas, Amanda (00065320) 700 LAVACA STREET SUITE 930 AUSTIN, TX 78701 Type of Compensation: Prospective $10,000 - $24,999.99 Client - Start: 01/31/2011 Term Date: 12/31/2011 |
6 tries in the past 4 months in 1 Lege
That's how motivated Texas senators & representatives have been in their attempts to give charter operators
-- including Turkish-run Cosmos/Harmony -- unprecedented access to Permanent School Fund (our
children's textbook money) as a guarantee for their construction bonds.
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, June 20, 2011
That's how motivated Texas senators & representatives have been in their attempts to give charter operators
-- including Turkish-run Cosmos/Harmony -- unprecedented access to Permanent School Fund (our
children's textbook money) as a guarantee for their construction bonds.
By Peyton Wolcott
Monday, June 20, 2011
- SR 85 (Reg.); authors Lucio, Fraser, Huffman, Nelson & Van de
Putte. (Nelson $4,000, Van de Putte $1,000) (Fraser, Van de Putte &
Lucio accepted free $3,200 Turkey trip from Gulen-related
foundation). - SB 597 (Reg.); author Florence Shapiro ($4,000).
- HB 1437 (Reg.); author Rob Eissler ($1,500).
- SB 1811 (Reg.); Mike Villarreal withdrew his amendment.
- FLYER supporting Harmony schools (distributed via free for-House-
members-only mail service not available to ordinary citizens who must
either hand-deliver their letters & flyers to each office or pay to mail
them via USPS) urged rejection of 3 fiduciary duty-of-care
safeguards; sender Jose Menendez ($500). - HB 6 (Reg.); Florence Shapiro authored amendment #4 ($4,000).
- SB 1 (Sp.Call); author Robert Duncan ($2,500); Jim Pitts ($2,500)
(named by TCSA as author of SB1); Linda Harper-Brown's floor
amendment #31 signers include: Mark Shelton ($1,000), Jose Menendez
(remember the pro-Harmony flyer he sent) ($500), Dan Branch
($1,500), Tan Parker ($500), Jim Murphy ($500), John Frullo ($250),
Sid Miller ($250), Rob Eissler ($1,500). SENATE & HOUSE
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Florence Shapiro
($4,000), Robert Duncan ($2,500), Bob Deuell ($1,500), Juan Hinojosa
($2,500), Tommy Williams ($2,500). Jim Pitts ($2,500), Rob Eissler
($1,500); Geren, Otto & Villarreal have not accepted TCSA cash from
Delisi Comm. PAC. - SB 31 (Sp. Call): author Florence Shapiro ($4,000).
| REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2011 (82nd) |
| SPECIAL CALLED LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2011 (82nd) |
| How to safeguard the PSF, our children's textbook money? 3 simple cures: |
- US citizenship for all charter
operator board members
(like for ISD trustees) & top
administrators - Names, titles & bios online of
all board members & top
administrators (like at KIPP) - Online check registers (like
70% of all ISD dollars already
are)
| TEC Registered Lobbyists hired by Texas Charter Schools Association |
| NOTE: House Ways & Means accepted all 3 safeguards when they voted out SB 597. |
| NOTE: 7 of the 10 conference committee members for SB 1 have accepted TCSA PAC cash. Isn't 7 of 10 a majority? |
Florence Shapiro has
worked harder than any
other legislator to pass
the PSF guarantee; she
also received $4,000
cash from Delisi PAC.
worked harder than any
other legislator to pass
the PSF guarantee; she
also received $4,000
cash from Delisi PAC.
HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST (CASH)
- US citizenship for board members (like ISD trustees) and top administrators
- Names, titles & bios of all board members & top administrators online (like KIPP)
- Check registers online (like 70% of all local Texas ISD dollars are)
Continued here
IS "A CHANGED MUSLIM" KOSHER IN A TAXPAYER-FUNDED TEXAS SCHOOL?
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Sunday, July 10, 2011 / 2:03 a.m.
By Peyton Wolcott
Updated Sunday, July 10, 2011 / 2:03 a.m.
Although many Texans have expressed concern that Harmony
charter schools actively promote the Muslim religion, Harmony
executives have repeatedly denied any promotion of Islam. Until
now, no one has had reason to believe otherwise. Yes, they
appeared to promote Turkish culture and nationalism, but it
appeared to stop there.
charter schools actively promote the Muslim religion, Harmony
executives have repeatedly denied any promotion of Islam. Until
now, no one has had reason to believe otherwise. Yes, they
appeared to promote Turkish culture and nationalism, but it
appeared to stop there.
1 - Opening credits
| Q: Was the Muslim soldier an American citizen? A Pakistani citizen? A Turkish citizen? Did the Harmony teacher and administrator with responsibility for this student encourage those questions? |
2 - A 'Muslim Soldier' returns from Iraq
| Q: Have Harmony students produced any short films entitled, "A Changed Christian" or "A Changed Buddhist" or "A Changed Jew"? I could not find any; can you? |
| Q: Given that "Salaam alaikum" is a traditional Muslim greeting -- it means peace be to you" (per Merriam Webster) -- is this student film set in a Texas public school -- or in Istanbul or Pakistan? Would Plano ISD have allowed them to say, "Hello, Christian brother" in a film? |
3 - He greets friend: 'Salaam alaikum'
4 - Soldier's status in Iraq
6 - 'At the night club'
5 - Soldier's stay-home friend's changed
7 - At the mosque
8 - Koran quote
9 - End credits
| Q: Was the soldier's mission in Iraq as a US soldier or as an Iraqi soldier or as a Pakistani soldier or as a soldier from some other country such as Turkey? |
| Q: Did the student filmmakers obtain permission from CVS Pharmacy to use the exterior of their store as a backdrop? Is CVS enthusiastic about use of their logo appearing in a "Muslim student" film? |
| Q: Why does the returning soldier find a Texas night club so offensive? Where was the night club scene filmed? Thanks to his beard the "staff" actor (middle) appears older -- but is he this old? |
| Q: Is this a call to jihad? In a Texas public school student film? Scroll down to the Battle of Ahzab here. and after studying the quote by a noted scholar please do your own research and reach your own conclusions. |
| Q: What is the meaning of the long white dresses above? One is wearing a white cap and the other isn't; what does that imply? And what are the words in English of the chanted prayers in the background? |
"Walk softly and carry a big stick." -- Teddy Roosevelt "Trust but verify." -- Ronald Reagan |
News & Notes from around the Ed World
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Is AJC saying supe Beverly
Hall's all glory, no guts?
Posted 07.07.11 / 11:35 p.m.
Hall's all glory, no guts?
Posted 07.07.11 / 11:35 p.m.
With Atlanta's education miracle
collapsing around them, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution's Jay
Bookman indulges in a bit of whining:
collapsing around them, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution's Jay
Bookman indulges in a bit of whining:
| For 12 years, [Atlanta supe Beverly Hall] ran the district with an iron fist, eagerly accepting the awards, laurels and financial benefits that came with her leadership position. Today, with the district dealing with the aftermath of the greatest cheating scandal in U.S. education history, with the harsh glare of a national spotlight on the people she led into this mess, Hall herself has vanished, leaving others to take the heat. |
Where was the AJC during the decade the cheating went on and
just how tone deaf can a major urban daily be? Jay and friends
appear to have been MIA themselves.
Ripple effect: Given that incoming DeSoto ISD (TX) supe Kathy
Augustine was Hall's second in Atlanta during the cheating
decade, the Dallas Morning News is calling for Augustine's
departure.
just how tone deaf can a major urban daily be? Jay and friends
appear to have been MIA themselves.
Ripple effect: Given that incoming DeSoto ISD (TX) supe Kathy
Augustine was Hall's second in Atlanta during the cheating
decade, the Dallas Morning News is calling for Augustine's
departure.
Man bites dog, Korean students beat teachers
Posted 07.08.11 / 2:30 a.m.
Posted 07.08.11 / 2:30 a.m.
| In Gyeonggi Province, school superintendent Kim Sang-gon led the creation of a “human rights ordinance for students,” something which ignores the rights of teachers and allows students to beat teachers. According to federation surveys, 67.8 percent of teachers in six regions with left-leaning superintendents said the school environment has never been worse. The six regions were among the lowest (except Gwangju, which ranked 4th) in the results of academic performance assessments announced last month by the Education, Science and Technology Ministry. |
CHARTER WATCH
Posted 07.07.11 / 2:26 p.m.
Arlington (TX) Metro Academy of Math & Science charter school --
almost a million in debt -- has been forced to close by TEA.
Good thing they hadn't gotten the Permanent School Fund
guarantee for any upcoming construction bonds.
Posted 07.07.11 / 2:26 p.m.
Arlington (TX) Metro Academy of Math & Science charter school --
almost a million in debt -- has been forced to close by TEA.
Good thing they hadn't gotten the Permanent School Fund
guarantee for any upcoming construction bonds.
| DATES: Houston regional: Houston: April 22-24, 2011 US National MIST: July 8-10 (Georgia) NOTE: Because the Houston Harmony student film won its regional slot, its team was eligible to attend the nationals weekend in Kennesaw, Georgia. The short film entry form asks for name of school--if representing school, and "A Changed Muslim" mentions the name of the school: "Harmony School [of] Advancement Houston." MIST mention of bussing & "academic school sponsored event": If you plan your team early enough, you can even ask your school to provide bussing to the tournament. Since MIST is an academic school sponsored event, you should be able to receive bussing. Ask your MSA sponsor and your school administration how to get buses for your MIST team. 2011 MIST theme: Loyalty [intro in Arabic] www.getmistified.com/announcing-the-national-theme-for-2011/ For reference, see this lecture (particularly 12:30 onward). This link is shared for educational purposes only. The views expressed therein are the speaker’s own, and they do not necessarily reflect the views of MIST, its organizers, or its affiliates. This entry was posted on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010. Theme of "Loyalty": Loyalty to whom -- or what -- first? Students are asked to develop the them in their projects; watch "A Changed Muslim" for the 3 conclusions it reaches: "loyalty to my faith and my friends and this school." The film does not address or mention loyalty to the United States even though that's part of the original charge. Did Harmony guide their students towards the conclusions they reached? |
Speaking of Georgia honeymoons....
Posted 07.07.11 / 10:09 p.m.
Posted 07.07.11 / 10:09 p.m.
| Beverly Hall, 2009 AASA US "Superintendent of the Year" |
| Q: What is "Dawah"? A: Per Wikipedia, "Da'wah or Dawah (Arabic: دعوة) usually |
Some blessings for new Cobb County schools head (and former
Dallas ISD supe) Mike Hinojosa:
Dallas ISD supe) Mike Hinojosa:
| Public Ed Commentary: July 13, 2011 - "A Changed Muslim" Turkish charter student film ... Random Round-Up (interfaith travel, hypnotism, prayer -- & teen porn) ... previews from Fox News' Fethullah Gulen report .... |
| Friends, 3 important updates: (1) After posting "A Changed Muslim" YouTube link on July 4, it was removed; now all you get is Mr. YouTube's sad face. |
| (2) WATCH Yasir Qadhi's (L) 20-minute lecture from 2007 Islamic NA convention per MIST (& Harmony?) for students; Yasir opens with a prayer from the Koran, in Arabic. Lecture title:"Towards Formulating a Vision for Muslims in America in Light of of the Seerah." |
| 9 scenes from "A Changed Muslim" |
| (3) Read my queries to Cosmos Foundation/Harmony charter supe Soner Tarim & PR gal, Karen Hughes of Burson- Marsteller, & B-M's PR guy; no responses yet. |
Do any of your schools have corresponding Baptist Students Associations or Zen Students
Associations or Hindu Students Associations? And are your students entered in any religious
organizations' contests other than the MSA/MIST tourney? Have they produced any student films
entitled, "A Changed Catholic" or "A Changed Protestant" or "A Changed Jew" or similar? If so,
would very much appreciate concrete examples including dates and events and student names.
Thank you as always for your anticipated response.
And thank you by the way for posting the names, titles and bios of your board members on your
charter operation's website, although wondering what happened to the other two, why and when
were they removed from office, etc.?
As always, if you find anything factually incorrect on my website, please let me know at your
earliest opportunity what you disagree with and I will post your response as soon as possible.
I am very tolerant and also very patient, my friend; you promised a response to my initial June 2,
2010 queries over a year ago and I'm still waiting. Karen Hughes stated at the bond luncheon she
MC'd (would that be the appropriate name for what you did, Karen?) in February at the Omni that
the Cosmos charter operation's campuses were "Harmony Public Schools." Public in the United
States means out in the open, not hidden. Public in Texas means responding to questions.
Public in any land means extending the same kindness to a stranger as to someone you have
known a long time.
Kind regards --
Peyton Wolcott
Publisher, Public Ed Commentary
Founder, National Grassroots School Check Register Movement (900+ districts in 37 states)
Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Associations or Hindu Students Associations? And are your students entered in any religious
organizations' contests other than the MSA/MIST tourney? Have they produced any student films
entitled, "A Changed Catholic" or "A Changed Protestant" or "A Changed Jew" or similar? If so,
would very much appreciate concrete examples including dates and events and student names.
Thank you as always for your anticipated response.
And thank you by the way for posting the names, titles and bios of your board members on your
charter operation's website, although wondering what happened to the other two, why and when
were they removed from office, etc.?
As always, if you find anything factually incorrect on my website, please let me know at your
earliest opportunity what you disagree with and I will post your response as soon as possible.
I am very tolerant and also very patient, my friend; you promised a response to my initial June 2,
2010 queries over a year ago and I'm still waiting. Karen Hughes stated at the bond luncheon she
MC'd (would that be the appropriate name for what you did, Karen?) in February at the Omni that
the Cosmos charter operation's campuses were "Harmony Public Schools." Public in the United
States means out in the open, not hidden. Public in Texas means responding to questions.
Public in any land means extending the same kindness to a stranger as to someone you have
known a long time.
Kind regards --
Peyton Wolcott
Publisher, Public Ed Commentary
Founder, National Grassroots School Check Register Movement (900+ districts in 37 states)
Horseshoe Bay, Texas
DATE: Friday, July 8, 2011, 9:03 AM TO: "Soner Tarim" <starim@harmonytx.org> CC: "Karen Hughes" <Karen.Hughes@bm.com>, "Paul Cordasco" <Paul.Cordasco@BM.com> FROM: "Peyton Wolcott" SUBJECT: Resending: 07.06.11... Soner, hoping you can help me: Harmony student film ("A Changed Muslim") Friday, July 8, 2011 9:03 AM Soner and Karen, perhaps neither of you received the below July 6 email. By copy to Paul Cordasco, hopefully you can respond on behalf of Harmony/Cosmos Foundation. Thank you all for your attention to this. Kind regards -- Peyton Wolcott Publisher, Public Ed Commentary Founder, National Grassroots School Check Register Movement (900+ districts in 37 states) Horseshoe Bay, Texas |
DATE: Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 8:27 PM FROM: Peyton Wolcott
TO: "Soner Tarim " <starim@harmonytx.org> CC: "Karen Hughes" <Karen.Hughes@bm.com>
SUBJECT: Soner, hoping you can help me: Harmony student film ("A Changed Muslim")
er, we've been told often that your charter operation is secular and does not promote the Muslim religion.
For example, here's a June 7 quote from The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Harmony Schools officials say
they are careful to avoid teaching about religion."
The Harmony School [of] Achievement student film entry in MSA/MIST entitled "A Changed Muslim" would
seem to counter this, especially given that "A Changed Muslim" mentions the name of the school in its
opening credits and this appears to suggest that this was an "academic school sponsored event."
Also, there was an opening prayer at the beginning of the lecture suggested to students for information
purposes; it was a quote from the Koran, in Arabic. Is this common at Harmony events, to have a recitation
from the Koran in Arabic? Do you also quote from the Bible or the Vedas in English or Spanish or French or
Italian at the beginning of Harmony events?
I would like to contact the HSA student team and also their teacher and principal as there are some
questions readers have sent regarding MSA/MIST plus the theme this year of "Loyalty." Even though the
MIST guidelines appear to encourage students to decide whether religious loyalty comes before national
loyalty and citizenship, the student in "A Changed Muslim" rejoins his friends because of "loyalty to my faith
and my friends and this school." The film does not address or mention loyalty to the United States even
though that's part of the original charge. Did Harmony teachers and administrators guide their students
towards the conclusions they reached? And could you please send me their email addresses so that I
may reach them before they leave for Georgia, if they are still going?
Soner, would also appreciate a clarification from you regarding the MIST statement that "nation-state
citizenship" is a "new concept." Do you embrace that statement? While it is true that we Americans are a
relatively new country, one that opens its friendly arms wide to those who want to come here, we were
primarily English citizens for centuries before that. So national citizenship is actually a very old concept in
the United States.
Just to verify: MSA is the acronym for Muslim Students Association and MIST the acronym for Muslim
Interscholastic Tournament?
TO: "Soner Tarim " <starim@harmonytx.org> CC: "Karen Hughes" <Karen.Hughes@bm.com>
SUBJECT: Soner, hoping you can help me: Harmony student film ("A Changed Muslim")
er, we've been told often that your charter operation is secular and does not promote the Muslim religion.
For example, here's a June 7 quote from The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Harmony Schools officials say
they are careful to avoid teaching about religion."
The Harmony School [of] Achievement student film entry in MSA/MIST entitled "A Changed Muslim" would
seem to counter this, especially given that "A Changed Muslim" mentions the name of the school in its
opening credits and this appears to suggest that this was an "academic school sponsored event."
Also, there was an opening prayer at the beginning of the lecture suggested to students for information
purposes; it was a quote from the Koran, in Arabic. Is this common at Harmony events, to have a recitation
from the Koran in Arabic? Do you also quote from the Bible or the Vedas in English or Spanish or French or
Italian at the beginning of Harmony events?
I would like to contact the HSA student team and also their teacher and principal as there are some
questions readers have sent regarding MSA/MIST plus the theme this year of "Loyalty." Even though the
MIST guidelines appear to encourage students to decide whether religious loyalty comes before national
loyalty and citizenship, the student in "A Changed Muslim" rejoins his friends because of "loyalty to my faith
and my friends and this school." The film does not address or mention loyalty to the United States even
though that's part of the original charge. Did Harmony teachers and administrators guide their students
towards the conclusions they reached? And could you please send me their email addresses so that I
may reach them before they leave for Georgia, if they are still going?
Soner, would also appreciate a clarification from you regarding the MIST statement that "nation-state
citizenship" is a "new concept." Do you embrace that statement? While it is true that we Americans are a
relatively new country, one that opens its friendly arms wide to those who want to come here, we were
primarily English citizens for centuries before that. So national citizenship is actually a very old concept in
the United States.
Just to verify: MSA is the acronym for Muslim Students Association and MIST the acronym for Muslim
Interscholastic Tournament?
| FOLLOW UP QUERY TO SONER TARIM, KAREN HUGHES (HARMONY'S PR FIRM BURSON- MARSTELLER) & B-M's PR PAUL CORDASCO |
| 1st QUERY TO COSMOS FNDTN / HARMONY SUPERINTENDENT SONER TARIM & HARMONY PR KAREN HUGHES (BURSON-MARSTELLER) |
| Q: Loyalty to whom & what? And which "Brotherhood"? A: We do not know. |
| denotes the preaching of Islam. Da‘wah is also described as the duty to "actively encour- age fellow Muslims in the pursuance of greater piety in all aspects of their lives, a definition which |
| * What is "Sunnah"? Per USC, "Any time sunnah is mentioned, it is to refer to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). Here it means his sayings, practices, living habits." |
HUMAN NATURE 101
Posted 07.10.11 / 12:25 a.m.
Posted 07.10.11 / 12:25 a.m.
| Vanessa Reyes |
| public money |
| lack of oversight |
+
| = |
| embezzlement |
In Nigeria at a time when they're so broke the
central police department can't pump fuel into
police cars, the loss of 13 million Naira ($85,000
US) intended for basic repairs at principal Patrick
central police department can't pump fuel into
police cars, the loss of 13 million Naira ($85,000
US) intended for basic repairs at principal Patrick
Asiegbu's Washington Grammar School is a big
loss; Anambra state's surprised governor, Peter Obi,
is belatedly looking into things along with another
arrest at the same school. A Vanguard reader
comments: "This confirms the failure in governance
that Gov. Obi is visiting on Anambra State. When you
chose to hand out money as if it is coming from you
as an individual, you miss the point."
loss; Anambra state's surprised governor, Peter Obi,
is belatedly looking into things along with another
arrest at the same school. A Vanguard reader
comments: "This confirms the failure in governance
that Gov. Obi is visiting on Anambra State. When you
chose to hand out money as if it is coming from you
as an individual, you miss the point."
| Peter Obi |
| Update from PW: COMPLETE AS THIS NYT CHART IS ... It doesn't mention North American College (president: Yuksel "Alp" Aslandogan). |
Google "Interfaith" and "Turkey trip" and there are 34 pages of
results .... Florida hypnotist principal connected to a string of
school suicides has landed in the district's HQ offices ....Muslim
prayers are now allowed at a Toronto charter school .... Alabama
SBOE member Betty Peters observes that "in ancient days, all
roads were said to lead to Rome; in the 21st century, all education
roads appear to be leading to Pearson .... ABC reports teen porn
in California's Big Bear USD yearbook .... Four NYC school
custodians cleaned up for themselves at taxpayers' expense, to
the tune of $500K .... Baltimore AP stole 8 iPads ....
results .... Florida hypnotist principal connected to a string of
school suicides has landed in the district's HQ offices ....Muslim
prayers are now allowed at a Toronto charter school .... Alabama
SBOE member Betty Peters observes that "in ancient days, all
roads were said to lead to Rome; in the 21st century, all education
roads appear to be leading to Pearson .... ABC reports teen porn
in California's Big Bear USD yearbook .... Four NYC school
custodians cleaned up for themselves at taxpayers' expense, to
the tune of $500K .... Baltimore AP stole 8 iPads ....
Fox News' 'Who is
Fethullah Gulen'? here.
Posted. 07.11.11 / 12:35 a.m.
Fethullah Gulen'? here.
Posted. 07.11.11 / 12:35 a.m.
| Next 3 panels: Footage of Anti-Gulen journalists arrested in Turkey |
| Chris Wallace |
| Fethullah Gulen |
Hats off to Chris Wallace at Fox for this
report as there are still many elected
officials here in Texas and elsewhere
who still do not know who Gulen is.
Caution: The footage of the three
journalists being arrested in Turkey --
all of whom had investigated Fethullah
Gulen -- is unsettling, especially when
you realize there have been 65 others.
report as there are still many elected
officials here in Texas and elsewhere
who still do not know who Gulen is.
Caution: The footage of the three
journalists being arrested in Turkey --
all of whom had investigated Fethullah
Gulen -- is unsettling, especially when
you realize there have been 65 others.
This student film, "A Changed
Muslim," from "MSA of Harmony
School [of] Advancement" in
Houston, appears to suggest
significant ties connecting Harmony
students, Harmony charter schools
and the Muslim world -- at a time
when Christian displays of faith --
including Christmas candy canes
and prayers -- have been expelled
from Texas public schools.
Here are some notes compiled in
the course of researching MSA and
MIST, etc.:
Muslim," from "MSA of Harmony
School [of] Advancement" in
Houston, appears to suggest
significant ties connecting Harmony
students, Harmony charter schools
and the Muslim world -- at a time
when Christian displays of faith --
including Christmas candy canes
and prayers -- have been expelled
from Texas public schools.
Here are some notes compiled in
the course of researching MSA and
MIST, etc.:
| STUDENT FILM: "A Changed Muslim" SCHOOL: Harmony School [of] Advancement Houston EVENT: Muslim Students Association (MSA) Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST) |
| has become central to contemporary Islamic thought. Purposes of Da‘wahIn Islamic theology: The purpose of Da‘wah is to invite people, both Muslims and non-Muslims, to understand the worship of Allah as expressed in the Qur'ān and the sunnah* of the prophet, as well as to inform them about Muhammad. Da‘wah produces converts to Islam, which in turn grows the strength of the Muslim ummah....all of the Islamic world unified." |
Interfaith travel, hypnotism, prayer -- & teen porn
Posted 07.10.11 / 11:17 p.m.
Posted 07.10.11 / 11:17 p.m.
| Responses received as of July 11, 2011: NONE. |
| YouTubes of the Month |
BBC's 'Islam, Inc.' here.
Should America believe Newsweek? Or charters?
Posted 07.11.11 / 6:49 p.m.
Posted 07.11.11 / 6:49 p.m.
Some charter operators claim 100% grad rates, like Harmony,
despite this university cohort study. More here.
despite this university cohort study. More here.
| 100% -- really? |
