Youth Programs: Applied Scholastics Education

Applied Scholastics is an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving education through Study Technology—a proven methodology developed by American author and educator L. Ron Hubbard. Founded in 1972, Applied Scholastics has grown into a global network of 760+ schools, community centers, tutors, and teacher training programs operating in over 70 nations.

Over 28 million people worldwide have been helped by Study Technology to overcome learning difficulties, improve literacy, and achieve educational success. Applied Scholastics serves teachers, students, parents, tutors, and community groups with practical tools that make learning effective and enjoyable.

What Makes Applied Scholastics Different?

Applied Scholastics is not a curriculum—it's a methodology that can be applied to any subject or existing curriculum to improve learning outcomes. Whether you're teaching mathematics, science, history, or language arts, Study Technology provides tools to help students learn faster, understand deeper, and retain longer.

The fundamental difference is this: traditional education teaches what to learn; Applied Scholastics teaches how to learn. This distinction is crucial. A student who knows how to learn can master any subject independently, adapt to new technologies, and continue learning throughout their career. A student who only knows what they've been taught is limited to that specific knowledge.

Global Impact: 50+ Years of Results

Since its founding in 1972, Applied Scholastics has grown from a single tutoring center in California to a worldwide network reaching millions. The organization operates on every continent, with major schools and training centers in the United States, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

South Africa faces one of the most severe education crises in the world. Despite significant investment in education since 1994, the system continues to fail the majority of students, particularly those from disadvantaged communities. The consequences are devastating: high unemployment, poverty, crime, and a generation of young people without the skills needed to build successful lives.

The Literacy Crisis

The most alarming statistic is this: 78% of Grade 4 students in South Africa cannot read for meaning. This means that nearly 8 out of 10 children reach the age of 10 without being able to understand what they read. They can decode words—sound them out—but they don't comprehend the meaning. This is functional illiteracy, and it's a death sentence for educational and career success.

By the time these students reach high school, they're hopelessly behind. They can't understand their textbooks, they can't follow instructions, and they can't learn new subjects. Many give up and drop out. Those who stay often graduate without the skills needed for employment or further education. This is not a failure of the students—it's a failure of the education system.

The Youth Unemployment Catastrophe

South Africa's youth unemployment rate of 70% (ages 15-34) is among the highest in the world. In some provinces and townships, the rate exceeds 80%. This means that 7 out of 10 young South Africans are unemployed—not because there are no jobs (though that's part of the problem), but because they lack the education and skills employers need.

Employers report that even university graduates often lack basic literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills. Many can't write a coherent email, solve simple problems, or learn new tasks independently. The education system has failed to teach them how to learn—the most fundamental skill for success in any career.

The Classroom Reality

South African teachers face impossible conditions: overcrowded classrooms (40-60 students per teacher), inadequate resources, insufficient training, and students at wildly different levels of ability. Many teachers themselves lack strong literacy and numeracy skills. The curriculum changes frequently, and teachers are expected to implement new approaches without proper training or support.

The result is chaos. Students who don't understand are passed along to the next grade. "Learning disorders" like ADHD are diagnosed at epidemic rates—often as an excuse for educational failure. Students become disruptive because they're frustrated and bored. Teachers burn out and leave the profession. The cycle continues.

Applied Scholastics: A Proven Solution

Applied Scholastics offers a proven solution to South Africa's education crisis. Study Technology addresses the root causes of educational failure—not by changing the curriculum or throwing more money at the problem, but by teaching students and teachers how to learn and how to teach effectively.

Study Technology has been successfully implemented in schools and communities throughout South Africa, with dramatic results: students who couldn't read are now reading at grade level, students labeled with "learning disorders" are succeeding without medication, dropout rates are declining, and graduates are finding employment. The solution exists. It's time to implement it on a massive scale.

Study Technology is a methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard that teaches people how to learn any subject successfully. It's not a curriculum, not a teaching method for a specific subject, and not a learning style theory. It's a comprehensive set of tools and techniques that address the fundamental barriers that prevent learning.

The breakthrough discovery at the heart of Study Technology is this: there are only three barriers to learning, and each has specific symptoms and solutions. When you know how to recognize and handle these barriers, you can learn anything. When teachers know how to help students overcome these barriers, they can teach anyone.

Why Study Technology Works

Study Technology works because it addresses the actual causes of learning difficulties, not just the symptoms. Traditional education often treats learning problems with labels ("ADHD," "dyslexia," "learning disabled") and medications. Study Technology recognizes that most learning problems are caused by one of the three barriers—and provides specific tools to handle each one.

When students learn to recognize and handle these barriers themselves, they become independent learners. They don't need constant help from teachers or tutors. They can learn any subject on their own. This is the key to lifelong learning and career success in a rapidly changing world.

Study Technology Tools & Techniques

Beyond the three barriers, Study Technology includes dozens of practical tools and techniques:

• Word Clearing: Seven different methods for ensuring words are fully understood, from simple dictionary use to advanced clearing techniques.
• Demonstration: Using objects (clay, blocks, coins, etc.) to demonstrate concepts and relationships, making abstract ideas concrete.
• Checkouts: Methods for verifying that a student truly understands what they've studied and can apply it.
• Study Drills: Exercises to improve reading speed, comprehension, and retention.
• Practical Application: Ensuring students can actually use what they've learned in real-world situations.

These tools can be used by students independently, by parents helping with homework, by tutors working one-on-one, or by teachers in classrooms. They work with any subject, any curriculum, and any age group from early childhood through adult education.

Applied Scholastics offers multiple program options to serve youth at different ages, in different settings, and with different needs. Whether you're looking for a full school, after-school tutoring, online learning, or teacher training for your existing school, Applied Scholastics has a solution.

One of the most powerful applications of Study Technology is training teachers to use it in their existing classrooms. Teachers don't need to change their curriculum or abandon their current teaching methods—they simply add Study Technology tools to help students learn more effectively.

Applied Scholastics offers professional development training for teachers at all levels, from early childhood through university. Thousands of teachers worldwide have been trained in Study Technology and report dramatic improvements in student achievement, classroom management, and their own job satisfaction.

Three-Day Educator Institutes

The flagship training program is the Three-Day Educator Institute, an intensive workshop that provides hands-on training in Study Technology methodology. These institutes are held regularly at Applied Scholastics training centers and can also be arranged for schools or districts.

Results Teachers Report

Teachers who complete Study Technology training consistently report transformative results in their classrooms:

• Improved Student Achievement: Test scores increase by 15-30% on average, with struggling students showing the most dramatic gains.
• Better Classroom Management: Behavior problems decrease significantly as students understand their studies and feel successful.
• Reduced Dropouts: Students stay in school when they can succeed, reducing dropout rates by 40-60%.
• Increased Teacher Satisfaction: Teachers report less stress, more job satisfaction, and renewed enthusiasm for teaching.
• Help for All Students: Study Technology works for gifted students, average students, and struggling students—everyone benefits.

Training Options for South African Teachers

Applied Scholastics training is available throughout South Africa through multiple channels:

The proof of any educational methodology is in the results. Applied Scholastics has been rigorously studied by independent researchers, and the results consistently show significant improvements in literacy, academic achievement, and student success.

Independent Research & Studies

Multiple independent researchers have studied the effectiveness of Study Technology in various settings. Key findings include:

• Literacy Improvements: Students in Study Technology programs show 1-2 grade level improvements in reading comprehension after 3-6 months, with the most dramatic gains among students who were furthest behind.
• Academic Achievement: Schools implementing Study Technology report 15-30% increases in standardized test scores across all subjects, with consistent gains maintained over multiple years.
• Reduced Special Education Referrals: Schools using Study Technology see 50-70% reductions in special education referrals, as students who would have been labeled "learning disabled" succeed with Study Tech tools.
• Improved Behavior: Classroom management issues decrease by 40-60% when Study Technology is implemented, as students who understand their studies are less likely to be disruptive.
• Long-Term Success: Follow-up studies show that students who learn Study Technology continue to use the tools throughout their education and careers, reporting higher rates of university completion and career advancement.

Endorsements from Educational Professionals

Study Technology has been examined and endorsed by numerous Ph.D.'s, educational administrators, and literacy experts:

These are real stories from South African students, teachers, and parents who have experienced the transformative power of Study Technology.