Gulen charter school copy-paste
Supposedly "unconnected" Gulen charter schools and private Gulen schools use near-identical sentences or text strings in ways that cannot be mere coincidence. In some cases, an entire section or complete web page may be the same, with only the school name changed. Some have referred to this euphemistically as charter schools "sharing best practices." However, Gulen charter schools have also copied texts from private schools. Ironically, student handbooks of Gulen charter schools threaten serious consequences for students who plagiarize.
The copying across schools, often in different states or even different countries, is a testament to the high degree of interconnectedness of Gulen-affiliated schools. It also calls into question claims of innovativeness.
Because minor variations of these text strings are sometimes employed, a shorter search string in quotes has sometimes also been provided. Put it in your browser's search box to verify which schools are using it.
Text #1
The websites (accessed May 2013) of Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School in Baton Rouge LA, and the School of Science and Technology in TX, have webpages containing Vision and Mission statements, constituting a 697-word-long text that is identical except for the school name.
The websites (accessed May 2013) of Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School in Baton Rouge LA, and the School of Science and Technology in TX, have webpages containing Vision and Mission statements, constituting a 697-word-long text that is identical except for the school name.
Text #2
"The School has the responsibility to construct a program, which engages and motivates students to invest their talents, energy, and enthusiasm in completing their schoolwork in an exemplary manner."
or
"It is the educator's responsibility to construct a program that engages and motivates students to invest their talents, energy, and enthusiasm in completing their schoolwork in an exemplary manner."
or other nearly identical variants
"The School has the responsibility to construct a program, which engages and motivates students to invest their talents, energy, and enthusiasm in completing their schoolwork in an exemplary manner."
or
"It is the educator's responsibility to construct a program that engages and motivates students to invest their talents, energy, and enthusiasm in completing their schoolwork in an exemplary manner."
or other nearly identical variants
- Orlando Science Middle/High School (Orlando FL) website mission statement, accessed May 2013 (link)
- School of Science and Technology Discovery (Leon Valley TX) website mission statement, accessed May 2013 (link)
- Kenilworth Science and Technology Charter School (Baton Rouge LA) website mission statement, accessed May 2013 (link)
- Sweetwater Branch Academy (Gainesville FL) website mission statement, accessed May 2013 (link)
- Wisconsin Career Academy, renamed Wisconsin College Prep Academy (Milwaukee WI) website mission statement (link)
- Horizon Science Academy Columbus Annual Report 2009-10
Text #3
"Continuous improvement, persistent innovation, positive response to change, and a commitment to incessant growth are characteristics of [School Name] people and programs..."
"Continuous improvement, persistent innovation, positive response to change, and a commitment to incessant growth are characteristics of [School Name] people and programs..."
- Orlando Science Middle/High School (Orlando FL)
- Sweetwater Branch Academy (Gainesville FL)
- Indiana Science Academy Junior High School charter proposal (rejected application)
- Horizon Science Academy Lorain Annual Report
- ***Lewis Academy of Excellence charter school petition (not Gulen-affiliated)
Text #4
"provide our youth with the support necessary to reach their highest potential - intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically"
"provide our youth with the support necessary to reach their highest potential - intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically"
- School of Science and Technology, Texas
- Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School
- Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School
- Wisconsin Career Academy
- Magnolia Science Academy
- Momentum Middle School (now Magnolia Science Academy San Diego)
Text #5
"..promotes respect for diversity and creates a context within which teachers‘ and students‘ experiences can be understood, appreciated, and connected to the curriculum."
"..promotes respect for diversity and creates a context within which teachers‘ and students‘ experiences can be understood, appreciated, and connected to the curriculum."
- Horizon Science Academy Denison (Walton Family Foundation start-up grant proposal)
- Indiana Math and Science Academy East (prospectus)
- Michigan Math(ematics) and Science Academy (charter contract with Grand Valley State University)
Text #6
There are many forms of Multiple Intelligence; many ways by which we know, understand, and learn about the world.
There are many forms of Multiple Intelligence; many ways by which we know, understand, and learn about the world.
- Albuquerque School of Excellence charter application (link)
- Indiana Science Academy Junior High School charter proposal (rejected application)
- Wisconsin Career Academy
Text #7
The purpose of [school name] is to prepare students to carry the torch of knowledge, freedom, and prosperity that is passed from generation to generation in our great country.
See this page.
The purpose of [school name] is to prepare students to carry the torch of knowledge, freedom, and prosperity that is passed from generation to generation in our great country.
See this page.
Text #8
Stars Middle School (link; also on school website, accessed Nov 2012)
"The mission of the school is to provide students with a well-rounded academic education by utilizing proven and innovative instructional methods in a safe and stimulating environment."
Sweetwater Branch Academy (school website accessed Nov 2012)
"The mission of the Sweetwater Branch Academy (SWBA) is to provide students with a well-rounded academic education by utilizing proven and innovative instructional methods in a safe and stimulating environment."
Palm Beach Science Academy (charter application)
"The mission of Palm Beach Science Academy (PBSA) is to provide students with a well-rounded middle and high school education in the light of proven and innovative instructional methods in a stimulating environment".
Pinellas School of Math and Science (charter application)
"The mission of Pinellas School of Math and Science (PSMS) is to provide students with a well-rounded elementary, middle and high school education in the light of proven and innovative instructional methods in a stimulating environment."
Stars Middle School (link; also on school website, accessed Nov 2012)
"The mission of the school is to provide students with a well-rounded academic education by utilizing proven and innovative instructional methods in a safe and stimulating environment."
Sweetwater Branch Academy (school website accessed Nov 2012)
"The mission of the Sweetwater Branch Academy (SWBA) is to provide students with a well-rounded academic education by utilizing proven and innovative instructional methods in a safe and stimulating environment."
Palm Beach Science Academy (charter application)
"The mission of Palm Beach Science Academy (PBSA) is to provide students with a well-rounded middle and high school education in the light of proven and innovative instructional methods in a stimulating environment".
Pinellas School of Math and Science (charter application)
"The mission of Pinellas School of Math and Science (PSMS) is to provide students with a well-rounded elementary, middle and high school education in the light of proven and innovative instructional methods in a stimulating environment."
Text #9
"Keeping inquiry at the center of the learning process fosters student curiosity and enables students to learn new concepts in a real-world setting. Students will learn to plan and conduct their own experimental procedures."
"Keeping inquiry at the center of the learning process fosters student curiosity and enables students to learn new concepts in a real-world setting. Students will learn to plan and conduct their own experimental procedures."
- Sweetwater Branch Academy, Gainesville FL
- Triangle Math and Science Academy, North Carolina
- (proposed) Knoxville Charter Academy
- (proposed) Cape Fear STEM School
Text #10
"we motivate our students through individual attention, intensive counseling, and after-school programs that address their individual learning styles"
"we motivate our students through individual attention, intensive counseling, and after-school programs that address their individual learning styles"
- Horizon Science Academy Denison Elementary
- Science Academy of Chicago (private Gulen school)
- Mehmet Akif College (private Gulen school in Kosovo)
- Rosebud Primary School (private Gulen school in Hong Kong)
- International School of Prishtina (private Gulen school in Kosovo)
Text #11
"Since adolescents thrive in an environment of diversity, we will strive to create a diverse learning environment." Sometimes followed by: "Diversity is not only a motivating factor, but also an essential element in a well-rounded education."
Put in browser: "Since adolescents thrive in an environment of diversity"
"Since adolescents thrive in an environment of diversity, we will strive to create a diverse learning environment." Sometimes followed by: "Diversity is not only a motivating factor, but also an essential element in a well-rounded education."
Put in browser: "Since adolescents thrive in an environment of diversity"
- (proposed) Harmony School of Excellence-DC
- Dove Science Academy (OK)
- (now closed) Abramson Science and Technology Charter School (LA)
- Horizon Science Academy Cleveland (OH)
- Memphis School of Excellence (TN)
- (now closed) Wisconsin Career Academy (WI)
- Horizon Science Academy Columbus (OH)
- Noble Academy Cleveland (OH)
- Kenilworth Science and Technology (LA)
- (proposed) Indiana Science Academy (IN)
- Horizon Science Academy Denison (OH)
- Gateway Science Academy (MO)
- Horizon Science Academy Dayton (OH)
- Albuquerque School of Excellence (NM)
- Harmony Science Academy Houston (TX) first Harmony Public Schools charter application from 2000