TIE: One of several justifications for
the Accord Institute's overhead

Page created June 2010

The previous page discussed how TIE ("Technology Integrated Education") is an example of very detailed coordination between the Gulen charter schools across the nation. 

TIE is also interesting for examining the mechanisms by which the schools justify overhead for Gulenist non-profit organizations.  TIE was developed by the Accord Institute for Education Research.  Here is a description of TIE from the website of Beehive Science and Technology Academy:


"For example, Computer teacher introduces .bullet lists. while teaching word processing. The Science teacher assigns an assignment that requires them to use .bullet lists. to outline the families and species of animals. And the Social science teacher asks the students to draft a report that explains distinctive sides of ancient civilizations using .bullet lists.. That helps students understand how .bullet lists. are utilized in different areas while reviewing what they learn in core classes."


This is the essence of TIE: assignments in the computer science class are made to coordinate with the current topics covered in other classes.  More sophisticated projects are described on Accord's website, but it is not clear to what extent such projects are actually implemented at Gulen charter schools. 

While the Accord Institute apparently engages in educational research, it does not appear to have produced any solid evidence (of the type that would persuade mainstream educational researchers) showing that TIE is more effective than other computer science curricula.

Developing programs such as "TIE" does appear to serve another purpose, however.  It justifies the charter schools purchasing curriculum from the Accord Institute, and paying Accord membership fees.