This entry has also been posted at Charter School Scandals.
Consider the following (based on the list Top 100 H1b Visa Sponsors In Secondary School Education Since 2008 appearing on 7/23/2010):
- The Gulen schools and their related organizations account for 31.5% of all H1B visa applications requested by the top 100 secondary school education H1B visa sponsors. (Table 1)
- Of the top 100 secondary school education H1B visa sponsors, 34 of the 100 sponsors were Gulen schools or their related organizations.
- A total of 4277 visas were requested by the top 100 sponsors.
- 1349 of the 4277 applications were submitted by Gulen schools or their related organizations.
- There were fewer than 100 U.S. schools in this subterranean network of schools operated by Gulen movement missionaries in this same year. Read about the characteristics of these schools here.
- The Cosmos Foundation, which operates approximately 27 Gulen schools in Texas, ranked #1 with 521 visa applications. These schools are heavily, but not exclusively, staffed with Turkish and Turkic teachers. The administrators and founders are nearly exclusively Turkish males.
- To contrast, Global Teachers Research Resources (a teacher headhunting organization) ranked #2 with 325 visa applications. GTRR’s newsletters reveal a wide range of teacher nationalities.
- Further investigation is likely to reveal that close to 100% of the visa applications of the Gulen schools and their related organizations will be for individuals from Turkey.
- Public school districts also applied for visas. In fact, seven of the top-20 largest school districts in the country were also top-100 sponsors for visa applications. These seven districts represent nearly 2,900,000 students attending approximately 3,831 schools. (Table 2)
- When averaged, seven of the top-20 largest school districts in the country submitted one H1B visa application for every 6.2 schools.
- The average number of visa applications for the Gulen schools was 13.5 H1B visa applications per school!
GULEN SCHOOLS & THEIR RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ONLY | ||||
Visa Rank | Company | EIN = Federal Employer ID Number* | H1B Visa Applications | Notes |
| 1 | Cosmos Foundation dba Harmony Science Academy | 760615245 | 521 | ~30 charter schools in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Tennessee |
| 9 | Cosmos Foundation [dba Harmony Public Schools | 760615245 | 101 | Same as above |
| 10 | Riverwalk Education Foundation | 760615245 | 97 | 4 charter schools in Texas, dba School of Science & Technology |
| 15 | Pelican Educational Foundation [dba Abramson Science & Technology Charter School] | 203801713 | 58 | 2 charter schools in Louisiana |
| 16 | Dove Science Academy [dba Sky Foundation] | 731578930 | 57 | 3 Gulen charter schools in Oklahoma, plus one attempt in Arkansas |
| 18 | Lisa Academy | 061665076 | 53 | 2 charter schools in Arkansas, under Little Scholars of Arkansas (LISA) Foundation |
| 22 | Dove Science Academy Oklahoma City | 731578930 | 42 | 2 charter schools in Oklahoma |
| 26 | Sonoran Science Academy (also dba Daisy Education Corporation) | 860990917 | 33 | 8 charter schools in Arizona |
| 32 | 421692516 | 26 | 2, possibly 3, charter schools in Missouri | |
| 35 | Horizon Science Academy Dayton High Sc | 201849958 | 24 | Single charter school in Ohio |
| 41 | Beehive Educational Services | 200912672 | 20 | Single charter school in Utah |
| 45 | Horizon Science Academy | 19 | Unspecified number of charter schools in Ohio | |
| 48 | Fulton Science Academy | 582512910 | 18 | 3 charter schools in Georgia |
| 49 | Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation | 954649884 | 17 | 12 charter schools in California |
| 53 | Hampden Charter School Of Science | unknown | 16 | Single charter school in Massachusetts |
| 53 | Paterson Charter School For Sci&tech | 223799763 | 16 | Single charter school in New Jersey |
| 58 | Paragon Education | 201634330 | 15 | Single charter school in AZ; affiliated with Daisy Educational Corporation dba Sonoran Science Academy |
| 58 | 223261282 | 15 | Operates a private Gulen school in NJ (Pioneer Science Academy A.K.A. Pioneer Academy of Science); sometimes written “Milkyway” | |
| 58 | 421692516 | 15 | See other “Millennium” organization above | |
| 58 | River City Education Services (FL) | 205773949 | 15 | Involved with schools in FL; some sort of relationship to the Grace Institute http://www.graceschools.us/ |
| 64 | Cosmos Foundation Inc, Dba Harmony School Of Innov | 760615245 | 14 | See Cosmos Foundation above |
| 64 | Horizon Educational Services Of Columbus | 311657839 | 14 | Single charter school in Ohio (?) |
| 64 | wellspring cultural educational foundation | 061610852 | 14 | This may be the organization which oversees Putnam Science Academy, a private boarding school in Connecticut, More notes below. |
| 77 | Brooklyn Amity School | 113511046 | 12 | A private Gulen school in NYC, described as a Turkish school by Today’s Zaman |
| 77 | Chicago Math. And Sci. Acdmy. Charter Sch | 450532536 | 12 | Single charter school in IL |
| 77 | Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School | 200723492 | 12 | Single charter school in NY |
| 77 | Horizon Science Academy Cleveland High School | 12 | Single charter school in OH | |
| 77 | Burlington American Turkish Org | 470947586 | 12 | For teacher positions in NJ; unspecified school |
| 77 | Daisy Education [dba Sonoran Science Academy] | 860990917 | 12 | Daisy Education Corporation, see #26 above |
| 77 | Chicago Math. & Science Academy Char. School, Inc | 450532536 | 12 | Single charter school in IL (Chicago Mathematics and Science Academy Charter School Inc) |
| 77 | Sonoran Science Academy-davis Monthan | see SSA ranked #26 | 12 | Single charter school in AZ; |
| 87 | Sonoran Science Academy Broadway | 412263902 | 11 | Sonoran Science Academy Broadway This SSA has its own EIN |
| 87 | Horizon Science Academy Elementary School | 262061654 | 11 | Single charter school in OH |
| 87 | Horizon Science Academy Toledo | 200524037 | 11 | Single charter school in OH |
17 comments:
Thanks for the great research. It appears the just the few Gulen schools you researched have as many HB-1 visa applications than the largest school districts of America. Good comparison, something is wrong with this whole Gulen movement and it's quest to push their agenda to American households via religion (interfaith dialogue), education, media and political influence.
Thank you again for this reasearch I will be sure to spread the information. I just cannot beleive with this and all the other things the parents and teachers are so loyal to these schools. Everything is backed up by facts!! There is a hidden agenda with these clowns and yet some are still so stubborn they cannot read the writing on the wall.
It would be very intresting to know how those numbers stack up againt other industries like agriculture, factories, warehouse etc. The Turks would still have them beat hands down.
This statement alone is very concerning to us all. From the official Web site of the International Turkish Olympiad: "...from our land the power of the Turkish language would spread throughout the world.”
Already they are targeting Christain churches and distressed private Christain schools. Historicaly speaking this is a Turkish way of Islamic conquest. To convert churches into mosques and madrasses.
Hi Sharon-- nice to meet you too. Long time follower, here. I live about two blocks from a Gulen school; when I tell people about it, they flat-out don't believe it. It's as if they think someone is out there keeping an eye on these things; nobody is except you. Take care.
@tbfurman/schooltechconnect.com
As a non-Muslim board member on the school board for one of the "Gulen affiliated" charter schools in Texas, and as a researcher in counter-terrorism, I would very much appreciate if you have any complaints about practices that violate your local school's charter. I can tell you for a fact that our schools here in Texas are STRICTLY secular without even the slightest hint of anything Islamic other then some Turkish female teachers wearing a head cover (but not a full veil like Saudis). Our schools are open to the public and have been vetted thoroughly by the TEA (and I'm sure the FBI). There are also NO RELATIONS TO ANY INTERFAITH DIALOG ACTIVITIES to these schools. There is a seperate Turkish institution affilated with the Gulen people that does all of that and I also observe and interact with their activities. So far nothing even remotely fanatical. Most of their teachings are based upon Fetullah Gulen (who's books are widely available in English), his predecessor Said Nursi, and of course the most revered Sufi in Turkish history, the Sufi Master/Poet Rumi.
Again I invite you to research for yourself Gulen and his followers in the U.S. for signs of Islamic radicalism. I'm an former member of the US Army and specialize in studies in Islamic extremists. I can promise you that after working with these people for almost a decade that they are the least likely to become radicalized. That's not to say that we shouldn't keep our eyes open...we should. But overall they are good people and I recommend that you go hang out with them to see what they're about. They're actually normally VERY open and will invite you to their homes and to their cultural centers. Nothing secretive about them.
Wigon;
If there is "nothing secretive about them" why the half-ass admission from you that they are affliated with Fethullah Gulen?
It is the lack of transparency and the over abundance of Turkishness that they are pushing off onto Americans - AT OUR EXPENSE.
If the schools would knock off the Turkish Olympiads, Turkish Character (which is a Gulen instructional item) and the silly free trips to Turkey for Politicans we might have more trust in your ethics.
As it sits there are many unanswered questions and too much paper and money out there. With our tax dollars crossing over state lines to Oklahoma and Louisana to the Gulen Schools there.
All of this and the students are NOT testing any better. But they can sure dance and sing in Turkish now can't they? What a waste.
But what do you expect from so-called "scholars?"
We have done a large amount of research on Fetosh (Fethullah Gulen) some of it is remarkable that people would be inspired to follow a knucklehead with a 5th grade education. Watch some of his religious sermons on UTube, when he gets to crying and wailing and the audience (ALL MEN) SCREAM OUT - IT IS VERY INSPIRING.
Give Baba Gulen my love. I am sure he could come out of hiding at his home to hear how Americans just adore him and his lies.
I would like to hear your comment on his ideas of peaceful cohabitation, multiculturalism, human rights etc. Knowing that he is a Muslim religious figure, and taking into account other Muslim figures/thinkers of our time, do you find his contribution negative or positive to the society (USA-global)?
I would like to hear your comment on his ideas of peaceful cohabitation, multiculturalism, human rights etc. Knowing that he is a Muslim religious figure, and taking into account other Muslim figures/thinkers of our time, do you find his contribution negative or positive to the society (USA-global)?
Okay, let's presume that Gulen's true aim is to bring about "peaceful cohabitation, multiculturalism, human rights etc." To that I say, great!
But here's where the whole thing has problems.
1. Outside of a very few number of people in America like myself who are not members of the Gulenist cult, no one has even heard of Fethullah Gulen. Large numbers of Americans have heard of Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and even minor figures who have worked to promote peace and tolerance.
Gulen has been alive for many decades and delivering his message. But why is his body of work (= teachings + actions) NEARLY COMPLETELY UNKNOWN to so many people outside of the Gulenist circle if it’s so outstanding and wonderful?
Can't you see the disconnect? Try to see it from our perspective. We’re just not convinced.
As for his meeting a pope which is something you guys like to mention, a fair number of people get the opportunity to meet popes, so it isn't an especially earth-shattering or definitive event. Even sleazy boxing promoter Don King met the pope. For more, just Google "met with pope"
This article by someone outside the Turkish Gulenist circles was very illuminating: http://watchingamerica.com/News/77701/the-%E2%80%9Cglobal-imam%E2%80%9D-through-american-eyes/
2. If Gulen's teachings and educational philosophy are such wonderful things, then why are his followers who are starting all these charter schools loathe to publicly admit their connection? Why aren’t they proud to announce from where their philosophy derives? Their sneaking and denying COMPLETELY UNDERMINES TRUST. It also totally fits in with that scary “moving in the arteries” statement that Gulen made.
Being forthright and honest is how trust is built.
Then there is the jailing of journalists and Gulen detractors in Turkey. http://www.ifj.org/en/pages/turkey-campaign-set-journalists-free
Why is a person like Gulen – who is powerful in Turkey and supposedly teaching a moral and upstanding religious philosophy – not speaking out against that?
So, it has yet to be determined if Gulen’s contribution will be positive or even neutral, considering all the negatives that are attached.
Gulen is a con-Artist, it is about creating a 1 world 1 religion 1 people who all speak the same language and THINK the same.
If Gulen was sincere why all the Turkification with Turkish this and Turkish that, even the Turkish flag plastered everywhere.
How tacky to PUSH your flag off on other countries.
The Turkish brand of Islam doesn't work for other Muslims and definately not in countries that are not majority Muslim.
Good news- The Gulen Movement has admitted on PBS Documentary their affilitation with the Harmony Science Academy.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-21-2011/gulen-movement/7949/
Immigration attorneys explain how to post job openings with the goal of NOT finding any qualified applicants. Taking these steps gives employers the legal justification to seek and hire foreign workers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCbFEgFajGU&feature=player_embedded
"H-1B + K-12 = ? : A First Look at the Implications of Foreign Teacher Recruitment" by David North at the Center for Immigration Studies, April 17, 2011 @ http://cis.org/h-1b-teacher-recruitment
Excerpt:
"...Let’s step back a moment and look at the market for linguistic instruction in the school systems. There is probably no public school system in the country that offers Turkish as a K-12 elective, because there is no demand for it. The normal labor market demand for teachers of Turkish at the primary and secondary level is, presumably, zero.
"Look at the numbers; Census data indicate that one out of 1,300 residents of the United States is a Turkish national, so if you live in a small town of 13,000 there would be on average, 10 Turks in it. Think about it another way, when is the last time you saw a Turkish restaurant in America?
"Since the Turkish population in the United States is so small (it is 39th on the list of nations sending us immigrants according to the 2009 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics )10 and since Turkey is not a large economic or military power, the lack of interest in that language at the K-12 level is totally understandable.
"Yet, the data source I used showed 59 separate certifications of people to teach pre-college Turkish. All were approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, and all were headed toward taxpayer-supported jobs. What’s going on here?..."
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By the same author: "New Wrinkle in H-1B Fraud: Stealing from the Taxpayers, Not the Workers" (May 23, 2011) @ http://www.rightsidenews.com/2011052313609/life-and-science/health-and-education/new-wrinkle-in-h-1b-fraud-stealing-from-the-taxpayers-not-the-workers.html
Excerpt:
"The school system in this instance is affiliated with the Gulen Schools, a loose confederation of charter schools put together by some Turkish educators/entrepreneurs; such schools are funded by local boards of education, using money that 20 years ago went to public schools. The employer in question is Horizon Science Academies, an Ohio entity, that runs charter schools in several Ohio cities..."
"Maryland School System to Cough Up $4M for Unpaid Visa Fees for Faculty." FOX News, 7/12/11
EXCERPT:
"As a result of the settlement, Prince George's will be barred from recruiting foreign teachers and extending their visas for two years. In the near-term, that means 161 foreign teachers will be forced out of the school system in the next two months due to expired visas, with another 100 following close behind by the beginning of 2012.
"In the long-term, the county likely cannot afford to continue hiring teachers from overseas. It typically costs several thousand dollars to sponsor a foreign teacher -- costs that add up when jurisdictions are hiring hundreds of teachers from overseas."
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/07/12/maryland-school-system-to-cough-up-4m-for-unpaid-visa-fees/#ixzz1RzzDGiz7
I don't know about the Gulen movement, but I do know that American taxpayer dollars going
to H1B visas in order to hire foreign instructors is ridiculous. We do have an economic recession going on, right? Do you mean to tell me that the administrators at these schools looked across America for teachers and were unable to find any? At a time when schools are cutting their teaching rolls? Uh huh.
Also, call me crazy, but I also think that American schools funded with taxpayer dollars should focus on American history, American culture, and English/American literature.
All the evidences point to the fact that Gulen movement in the USA is founded and protected by invisible forces of US Govt. Even Fettullah Gulen is protected by Penn. State Police. When he was taken to the court for his visa, 2 CIA agents and a professor from NYU who happens to be the consultant of Gulen movement testified for him to stay in the US. Now why would CIA and a theology professor in NYU would testify and help Gulen in the court? Something strange going on here.
Think about this Gulen quote, if you think there's nothing to worry about with their 'innocent' charter schools.
"ou must move in the arteries of the system without anyone noticing your existence until you reach all the power centers … until the conditions are ripe, they [the followers] must continue like this. If they do something prematurely, the world will crush our heads, and Muslims will suffer everywhere, like in the tragedies in Algeria, like in 1982 [in] Syria … like in the yearly disasters and tragedies in Egypt. The time is not yet right. You must wait for the time when you are complete and conditions are ripe, until we can shoulder the entire world and carry it … You must wait until such time as you have gotten all the state power, until you have brought to your side all the power of the constitutional institutions in Turkey … Until that time, any step taken would be too early—like breaking an egg without waiting the full forty days for it to hatch. It would be like killing the chick inside. The work to be done is [in] confronting the world. Now, I have expressed my feelings and thoughts to you all—in confidence … trusting your loyalty and secrecy. I know that when you leave here—[just] as you discard your empty juice boxes, you must discard the thoughts and the feelings that I expressed here."
And they call me a religious fanatic! HA! This is like a Lex Luther waiting for his day to reveal his master plan to Rule Z World.
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