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| Gulen's thoughts on education is respected by thousands of educators. Thus it is normal to see charter schools teachers that are influenced by him. Yet this does not make the schools as gulen charter schools. |
Below is the article that was appeared in Pjstar a couple of weeks ago. Isn't it nice to see that the anti-charter school campaign is loosing points in the public eyes. Those o-called gulen charter schools -if you wish to call them in this way- are indispensible components of the respective societies that they are located.Nobody can deny it (tag: gulen charter schools, gulen schools, peoria).
Quest, the city's first modern-day public charter school, opened in the fall of 2010 with more than 220 students in grades five through seven. This fall, a new class of fifth-graders entered and those seventh-graders advanced to the newly formed eighth grade.
Plans are to add a class of 75 students each year until the school hosts grades five through 12 and has 650 students spread over two buildings.
"To start a high school, we have to offer so many more programs," Quest Principal Engin Blackstone said last week, mentioning classes such as chemistry and physics and expanded extracurricular and sports programs. "Those are in the planning stages now."
Quest is managed by Concept Schools, a private company based in Des Plaines. Quest differs from District 150 schools in that it provides a longer school day, more instructional time spent on math, reading and language arts, and Saturday classes available for students who are struggling.
"There are a lot more activities here and the classes are more challenging," said Sommer Rose, a seventh-grader who previously attended Von Steuben.
Added Blackstone: "Our goal is to provide better educational opportunities to District 150 parents and students. If we're not doing anything different, to me, there's no point to exist."
Concept has a five-year contract with Peoria District 150, which in 2015 can decide to renew or terminate the agreement. Expect the latter.
"I'm excited about the success at Quest," said District 150 Superintendent Grenita Lathan. "For us, it's a benefit to the district because the children have another option. You always want children to stay in your district and you want there to be choice.
"(Quest) is expanding into high school for next year and they will continue to have district support. They are meeting the needs of the district and the community."
Filled with students from more than 20 District 150 schools, Quest showed significant academic gains in its first year. Based on ISAT scores, 85 percent of Quest students were proficient in math and 78 percent in reading.
"Overall, the program is going very well," said Blackstone, a native of Turkey who recently gained his U.S. citizenship. "We have a dynamic curriculum. We want to keep it hands-on and integrate technology into our teaching.
"We have a data-driven plan based on our assessment tools. The system sets learning goals for each student."
High-tech
Quest says its success is based at least in part on the access to technology its students have.
Grant money has created a high-tech atmosphere in the school, starting with the large, flat-screen television that hangs in the foyer and broadcasts the student-produced newscast that happens on a weekly basis.
The school has integrated technology into every classroom, including 10 sets of "clickers," which are remote-like devices with a variety of applications.
"It's as instant as it gets," fifth-grade teacher Marcus Belin said of the units used to take and score tests and other exercises. "They know their grades before they go home."
In addition to a fully equipped computer lab and computer stations in assorted classrooms, the school has two mobile computer stations, each containing 30 laptops on wheels.
"This is better because of all the technology we have," said Ernest Gray, a fifth-grader who formerly attended Woodrow Wilson. "It's easier for me to learn."
The college experience
Part of the Quest mission is to prepare students for college. The mindset of being a college student is reinforced at nearly every turn.
Classrooms are named after different universities, some of which reflect the alma mater of that teacher. Colors, crests and logos from schools such as Bradley, Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Florida State and Iowa, among others, adorn classrooms and hallways.
"We're getting them ready for college," Blackstone said. "So we thought it was a good idea to emphasize that and give them some information. We want the idea to stick in their minds that they're going to college."
The message appears to be sticking.
"It's a better education here," said Gillian Fauntleroy, a seventh-grader who came from Rolling Acres. "They're getting me ready to go to college."
Getting in
The board of directors for Quest, headed by former Caterpillar CEO Glen Barton, is currently looking for a second campus. The school's first choice is the former Columbia Middle School, which is less than a mile away. The plan is to relocate the middle school there and expand the Loucks building into a high school.
It's fair to say that interested families are beating down the doors.
The school is open to all students residing in District 150. A public lottery determines who gets an invitation for admission each year. For the 2011-12 school year, 263 applications were received for fifth grade.
Yet only 49 slots were available because 26 applicants had siblings already attending the school. Under state law, that means they are automatically chosen. Those not among the first 75 are put on a waiting list.
So, how hard is it to get in?
"I couldn't even get my own daughter in," Blackstone said.
Greg Stewart can be reached at 686-3251 or gstewart@pjstar.com.
Quest for success
Quest Charter Academy posted significant academic gains in its first year. Here is a by-the-numbers look at the school that plans to add one class per year until it is a grades 5-12 school of 600 students.
300 - Current enrollment
62 - Percentage of students who are African-American
22 - Percentage of students who are Caucasian
7 - Percentage of students who are Hispanic
85 - Percentage of students who tested as proficient in math on the 2011 ISAT exam.
78 - Percentage of students who tested as proficient in reading on the 2011 ISAT exam.
90 - Number of students who qualified to participate in regional/state math, science and technology competitions.
96.5 - Attendance rate for the 2010-11 school year.
Peoria is such a lucky city that hosts a cradle of traditions, including Turkish nd many others from the ME. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fascinating effort by those turks to run numerous charter schools accross the country. Whatever you call them, either gulen schools, or gulen charter schools, they are in the service of American kids, and this is the very focal point of the matter.
Haa Haaa, Engin Blackstone oops Engin Karatas has already done his pilgrimage to visit Fetos at the Golden Generation compound. You can lie all you want but anyone that matters knows the truth and soon very very soon, it will be out to the masses.
ReplyDeletePeoria is unlucky to have a cult trying to expand the school. Lets see what happens.