Rev. Harvey Burnett of New Bethel Church of God in Christ objects to District 150 using a training program from The Pacific Institute, based in Seattle, Washington, and used by many large corporations around the world, including Boeing and Caterpillar. He says on his blog:
The focus of the 21 Keys program [from The Pacific Institute] is similar to that of cultic religious indoctrination practices, offering affirmations and assimilation techniques and a targeted deprogramming of traditional values. This is unacceptable at the Public School Level and could potentially be a violation of law.
Rev. Burnett would like “Peoria Public School District 150 to reconsider their relationship with the Pacific Institute and at the very least NOT implement any of their programs with our Public Schools.” He’s a little late on that count. While the founder of The Pacific Institute, Louis Tice, is speaking in Peoria today at 1:00, which is why this program is getting a little more publicity all of a sudden, this is not a new program at District 150. It was approved by the school board about a year and a half ago. Here’s what the December 4, 2006, school board meeting minutes state:
PACIFIC INSTITUTE – Moved by Spangler, seconded by Stowell that the Administration be authorized to enter into a Contract with the Pacific Institute for the use and implementation of the Pacific Institute’s BASIC LEARNING PROGRAM, YOUTH PROGRAM AND SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM.
Dr. Fischer explained that Caterpillar has graciously underwritten the cost of the program for the first year. The first year will implement the Pacific Institute’s Basic Learning Program, Youth Program and School Sponsorship Program. Mr. Hinton explained that phase two financing is still to be determined. Dr. Fischer stated that the program fits well into the Strategic Plan and the District will benefit even if the second phase is not initiated.
On roll call, 7 ayes. Motion carried.
As the September 17, 2007, school board meeting minutes explain, this training was part of, or perhaps became a part of the district’s School Improvement Plans. During the part of the meeting where an update was given on these plans, Associate Superintendent Dr. Cindy Fischer had this to say:
Dr. Fischer reported that all principals have been trained in the Pacific Institute “Investment in Excellence.” The focus of that training is to change the culture in the building. Two buildings have been through the Pacific Institute “21 Keys” training and the District has made a “bold goal” that each teacher will have the opportunity to attend the 21 Keys training.
The October 1, 2007, school board meeting featured further discussion on the training:
5. GOAL 5 – CULTURE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE – CULTURE TO DRIVE INVESTMENT IN EXCELLENCE – Dr. Fischer, Dr. Hannah and Mrs. Sanfilip presented information on driving the culture of an organization to achieve excellence. The District has been working with Pacific Institute to move the style of leadership from passive/defensive or aggressive/defensive to constructive.
Let’s stop here for a second. These terms deserve a little explanation. District 150 published a flyer called “The Pacific Institute: An Overview for Peoria Public Schools” that is available from the district’s website. It explains these different styles of leadership:
A Constructive Culture
- Pursues standard of excellence
- Fosters innovation
- Reinforces personal responsibility and accountability for performance
- Open, candid discussion and decision-making
- Leadership facilitates goal accomplishment rather than manages (monitoring activities)
An Aggressive/Defensive Culture
- Inactive/Reactive
- Creates overhead
- Focus on blame
- Maintain the status quo
A Passive/Defensive Culture
- Reactive
- Hierarchical
- Critical
- Punitive
- Political
- Unrealistic
They then say that Peoria Public Schools’ current culture is an equal mix of all three types of leadership styles, but that they are striving to be completely a “Constructive Culture.” Now, back to the October 1 minutes:
The Central Administrative Team has been through leadership facilitator training to develop a mission statement and values for the District. The building principals have completed Investment in Excellence and are working on Vision and Value Building and will take part in the leadership impact survey and coaching in November. They also will take part in the 21 Keys Facilitator Training in October. Kellar, Irving and Transition to Success teachers have completed the 21 Keys program. Our BOLD GOAL is that all teachers will go through 21 Keys and Achieving Your Potential by September 2008. It is also hoped that community members, volunteers and parents have a chance to participate in the training.
Dr. Fischer stated that to achieve our goals they need from the Board the continued commitment to the vision and values and then work on moving the culture. Also, consensus and support of the Bold Goal that all teachers go through the 21 Keys and Achieving Your Potential.
Dr. Fisher stated that if organizations, businesses or people would like to donate, things needed would be – an offsite location for the training, lunches for the three day training and help with purchasing the materials. We will be using District trainers to hold down the cost.
As was earlier stated, Caterpillar paid for the first year of training, and there was uncertainty at the time as to how “phase two” would be funded. According to the PPS’ Pacific Institute flyer, which was undated, apparently at some point it was decided that no school funds would be expended on the program:
The Peoria Public School District 150 Foundation has agreed to fundraise for the training. Additional community members have and are stepping forward to donate facilities, food, snacks, and payment for curriculum.
As far as it being eastern mysticism in disguise, it might be interesting to ask the staff at St. Mark Catholic School. They adopted the training in early 2006, according to a May 5, 2006, Journal Star article:
First, [St. Mark’s] entire staff of teachers and principal went through an Investment in Excellence program in January. Last weekend, some 40 of its junior high students went home with the new realization that they are in control of their own destinies, through a Pathways to Excellence program.
The teachers will complete another seminar, 21 Steps, this summer in which they will take what they’ve learned from the first program and incorporate it into the kindergarten through eighth-grade curriculum.
The excellence programs were introduced to the school by Caterpillar Inc. employee Steve Pierz, who is on the school’s education commission. He enlisted the help of his friend and colleague Stan Budzinski and information technology supervisor Kim Utzinger, who also presented the Pathways program.
As an aside, it was interesting to me that Caterpillar’s name came up every time this training was mentioned. It appears Cat is the local evangelist for The Pacific Institute. They’re spreading the good news of positive “self-talk” to public and parochial schools alike. But I digress.
Indeed, the mission statement of The Pacific Institute doesn’t betray any eastern or New Age thinking in and of itself:
We affirm the right of all individuals to achieve their God-given potential. The application of our education empowers people to recognize their ability to choose growth, freedom and personal excellence. We commit ourselves to providing this education, all over the world, through all means that are just and appropriate.
But when you actually look at the curriculum, as Rev. Burnett has done, it does show that its methods are New-Age-ish (religious syncretism, mind over matter, etc.), and thus could undermine values that are being taught in the home, especially Christian values. From what I’ve read, it’s basically the old “power of positive thinking” repackaged; only this time their claim is that the methods are based on “the latest research from the cognitive sciences.”
Stripped of the methodology, I don’t see any problem with kids learning that they’re responsible for their own attitudes and learning. However, I see honest self-talk as much more valuable than simply positive self-talk. This may be apocryphal, but I heard once that tests showed U.S. children had some of the lowest achievement scores, but had the highest self-esteem of kids in any nation. The district needs more than positive thinking and psychotherapy to make AYP.
This whole thing leaves me with two questions. First, how much time is being spent on this training per school year, and might that time be better spent on core curriculum? Secondly, how effective can The Pacific Institute’s training be if the central administration has gone through it and is still the antithesis of a “Constructive Culture”?
Your last paragraph says a lot. This administraton has been the worse of all! This program did not help them,they got worse! God help us if they get any more
“god-like”
Sorry to appear shallow here, but by any chance might the district save $600k if they halt this program?
Diane — Thought of that. I don’t think so. As far as I can tell, this is not coming out of the operating budget. The first year was paid for by Cat. Additional training is said to be coming from separate fundraising efforts. However, if they’re going to be cutting time out of the day, I don’t want that time taken up with this program; I think fine arts education would be more helpful.
I hate to be the party pooper here, but I have been reading about the “21 Keys” and it sounds like a positive approach to me. Granted, I do not like the idea of them cutting time out of the day and I do not see how they are going to fit all of this in, but I do not see the Pacific Institute training as a bad thing.
Visualization and making a person responsible for their actions are evil. In fact, I was thinking the BOE and 150 Admin could learn something 🙂
Oops!! I meant to type ARE NOT EVIL!! Geesh….
CJ
Just a point of clarification about funding. OK CAT paid for the first and then the District 150 Foundation will hold fund raisers to pay for the rest. Sounds like a super idea – right? Well, in the past until King Hinton came on the scene the District 150 Foundation raised money primarily through a successful annual golf outing and silent auction. At $150 per ticket there were many corporate foursomes – especially corporations and businesses which do business with 150. Get it? wink wink
Over the years the Foundation had been the beneficiary of estates and donations as well. I know at one time their interest earning assets were over $1,000,000. The annual income was used to fund small individual grants to district teachers to bring creative educational opportunities to their students. Typically they ranged from $500 to $1,500. Not every school benefited but they had the opportunity to. The successful, motivated teachers were always in line with new ideas and grants were awarded twice a year. An untold number of students have benefited over the years.
I had heard that after King Hinton took over the Foundation was drastically altered. It even caused Foundation members to resign!
So now the revenues will be used to fund a perhaps controversial program for all…sounds good, right? The one thing for certain is whatever this new program is it will be just another “here today, gone tomorrow” concept to eat up money and time at 150. So many follies over the years, but no follow through!
^oo^~
Where do you get the time to do all the work? I mean, go work for WEEK or the PJS. Get paid for the work you do.
While much criticism is deserved by District 150, comments like the one above by OFK seem to be of the vein that nothing the District can do can be of any good. I don’t much like Hinton or his style, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t have a good idea every once in a while. Some people are only willing to look at the bad. Ironically, if you read much about the Pacific Institute, they are trying to combat exactly that kind of thinking.
OFK, Rev. Burnett, others — save your anger for things that really matter. Like a shortened school day.
Alex,
Another way to look at it; Why is it a group of people getting paid to be reporters full time, deliver such half assed work, while a volunteer amateur reporter can deliver something better in his spare time.
Mahkno and Alex: Agreed. Good work CJ.
Sud O. Nym
Excuse me? You said “he can’t have a good idea every once in a while” which implies Hinton is responsible for bringing in Pacific Institute based on his assessment. If you go back and reread CJ’s post it’s pretty clear that CAT initiated the contact. You would know that Hinton has few original ideas if you knew him!
However you missed my real point. What I said was “The one thing for certain is whatever this new program is it will be just another “here today, gone tomorrow” concept to eat up money and time at 150. So many follies over the years, but no follow through!”
Two years ago 150 announced CAT was paying for Six Sigma yada yada so Hinton hires his ex-Edison buddy Otto A for $65k to spearhead it for 150. Gosh here it is 2 years and $130K later and people are asking Six Sigwhat?
Ask any teachers who have been at 150 over the years and you’ll hear stories of revolutionary teaching theories that 150 pays good money to train personnel only to abandon it for the next revolutionary teaching concept. That is why I’m skeptical of yet another new hole in the ground to throw money.
And lastly whatever made you think that I wasn’t already contributing efforts toward the efforts to override the shortened school day issue? I hope you didn’t bet the farm on that, Sud!
^oo^~
Sud O. Nym,
Can you name just one good idea implemented and followed through by King Hinton? Just one solid, original contribution to the education and well being of the kids?
So I have to chime in. I’m a Cat employee who has been through the Pacific Institute training and I can tell you I have personally benefited from their program. The essence of what they teach is don’t be a victim and don’t whine about other people not helping you – take control of your life and stop waiting for someone else to fix everything for you. Something a lot of the D150 kids, teachers, administrators need to hear and take to heart.
The key to any of these programs/initiatives is first of all the participants need to be receptive. If you don’t have an open mind, nothing is going to get through. Second, the leadership must walk the talk and can’t undercut the program. If the administrators and teachers are walking around grumbling about the program because they can’t open their minds then nothing will stick.
Don’t knock the programs – they have merit. I’m a Six Sigma black belt as well and can tell you that the biggest factor for the success or failure of these initiatives is the attitude and support (or lack thereof) of the leadership.
Think about it this way. If your mom told you not to swear because people would think less of you, but your dad swore a blue streak, do you think that you will swear? Of course. Did mom’s advice have merit? Of course. If dad didn’t swear either then you would probably spill the occasional expletive but may learn how to express yourself in a more societally acceptable manner.
Ingenieur,
I’m not knocking those programs and I’m happy for you and other CAT employees. What you don’t seem to know is the “real world” employers expect their paid employees to work their butts off for the pay they receive. Who did your job while you were off in some fancy classroom, eating donuts and “earning your 6th degree”?
Teachers at 150 “GET TO GO to THAT training” and still “GET TO GO back and do the work that was left behind IF they are GOOD employees!” Do you understand?
^oo^~
Plus these tools, good or bad, are only passing fancies with District 150. Follow through lasts for awhile until the new is gone, then all is back to the old day to day. Administrators, and there are plenty, do not take the responsibility to assure that staff are using what they have been taught and staff is not allowed the time to absorb and put into action. Don’t know much about “21 Keys” but do know a bit about Six Sigma and have great respect for it. That’s not the p[oint I wish to make.
Feral,
“Who did your job while you were off in some fancy classroom, eating donuts and “earning your 6th degree”?”
Um…Cat folks do understand. No one subs in for those Cat folks when they go off for training. They still have to do the work that was left behind when they were off eating donuts. That can lead to some pretty long days and weeks.
I am curious. Let’s say a local business were willing to donate gold plated radiator caps for all the school busses. Would anyone think to simply ask for cashier check instead of pretty baubles that don’t teach the children? Over and over I hear the rationalization that since the taxpayer didn’t pay for it … it must be OK. But the taxpayer would better benefit from open donations for discretionary use rather than targeted donations that don’t address the immediate problems.
How about doing away with school busing? Why do we support two bus systems anyway (Dist 150 & Citylink)? If the kids need a bus, take the city bus. Yes, Citylink really needs to review its routing and timings to make that work.
District 150 could save money by reviewing who it picks up and where. I still find it wasteful that kids are bused from the Uplands to Whittier. When I was a kid there were no buses for kids living that close… you walked. Yeah Main street is a busy street. I WALK my kids to school everyday, crossing Main.
On Teton Dr, 4 or 5 school buses daily pass the same residential intersection.
I think this sounds like an exciting offering. I am glad to learn a portion is the costs are being funded outside of the District budget, but the District is still paying for it in terms of teacher salaries — I assume they are being paid to attend the training seminar.
The article states the “Central Administrative Team” has been through the training. Well, they need to be run through the course again, because they seem to have not grasped the tenants of the program as it related to the “Constructive Culture” style of leadership. Just ask Diane Vespa!!!!
Sorry, I meant “tenets” not tenants. I guess my “frustration” over District 150 is getting to me.
Michael, when was the last time you made a donation to District 150?
I have read the many comments. The district has a Strategic Plan that was written by the community. Since the implementation of the plan in 2002 the district has hired a person to ensure the continued implementation. The person hired now is a retired administrator who is not only receiving his pension but a stipend well over $300.00/day. However, this person is also the person who has assumed other duties and is constantly in major administrative decisions. Oh by the way the Strategic Plan would be a very strong companion to the professional development with the Pacific Institute. What happened to the Six Sigma training…Any teacher who does any professional training outside of the school day receives a stipend.
I do not have any problem with the training of Pacific Institute but we are cutting 45 minutes from our primary children’s day. The school day was working before the quick decision of the shortening of children’s contact minutes.
We all need to make our feelings known to school board members. They honestly think this is a small number opposing the proposal. Let’s all support Diane at the school board meeting Monday night. You do not have to speak just be there for support. The meeting starts at 6:30 at the Administration Building.
I donated the state funds reserved for educating me to District 150 for 10 years. I donated my time and my body… and gave them my mind. I took that back at college, but many never get that chance.
Six Sigma… oh puh-leese. (and a “black belt”…ooh how impwessive) Let me sum up SS: Raise prices, lower services and flood the market with positive upbeat platitudes… make the customer or employee, (we call them… what is it? not partners… stake holders?) think things are better. If we reduce complaints it is the same as increasing productivity.
Profit, profit, profit, profit, profit, profit, profit, profit, profit….. oh wait… we are a non-profit public institution… hmmmm…. increase our spending, increase our spending, increase our spending, increase our spending… on ourselves.
deebie47: “Can you name just one good idea implemented and followed through by King Hinton? Just one solid, original contribution to the education and well being of the kids?”
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
King Hinton isn’t paid to have ideas, he is paid to RUlE as King.
CJ, not sure where to put this but…. I read today’s editorial page in support of the Manual student’s protest stating they were well informed, well organized, respectful, loyal, truthful and honorable. This may be true of some, but I heard from a source very close to the scene that what truly took place should have been considered riots. They wondered what powers Ken Hinton has to keep it out of the news and shove the incident under the rug. Anyone else know anything about this?
To: Imaswede
I witnessed that protest. Most of the students were very respectful. I did not see anything that could have been considered a riot. I don’t know what happened on the other side of the building but on my side, the kids were fine.
“I heard from a source”… get at least two anonymous sources before you repeat it , please.
I did some more checking with my “source” and they said there was looting inside the school during the protests. Kids were running into classrooms and offices taking whatever they wanted.
“Let’s say a local business were willing to donate gold plated radiator caps for all the school busses. Would anyone think to simply ask for cashier check instead?” The problem is, you assume they would know what to do with the check. Probably a bad assumption. I urge anyone contemplating any kind of donation to specify what it is to be used for. Try to make it binding if you can. Just giving money to most places is often less productive than throwing it out the window. If you throw it out the window, there is a reasonable chance someone who needs it will pick it up.
Thank you for doing this story and a wonderful job on it. I didn’t know that it existed.
As I’ve studied this further, 21 Keys is a resurrected and reworked form of Shamanism. This was the eastern, oriental, methaphysical, religious feel that I sensed from the literature and the concepts. There is a Shamanistic healer named Sandra Ingerman that explains many of the concepts that are seen in the 21 Keys and Imagine 21 program. Right from “toxic thoughts” on to “positive self talk”. I think her work may have even been the inspiration for much of what is laid out in the program.
Shaminism was probably one of the oldest religious systems ever dating back over 12,000 to 15,000 years. It is amazing that so many elements of it survive today and various forms, some elements reworked to fit Christianity.
Anyway, thank you for the review on a subject that was very difficult. I had some people call me and tell me that they wanted nothing further to do with me as a result of this effort. But that’s OK I see we have all managed to survive for the most part since then only I don’t see where this program had any “power” to the better in PPSD 150.
God bless.
Pastor H. Burnett
Very enlightening–This post came up before my blogging days. It is amazing how District 150 spends taxpayer money. I didn’t know anything about the philosophical basis for this program but have wondered for quite some time why District 150 needed it. What used to come naturally for people (leadership) has to be packaged into a program to sell to the gullible. I think that many of these programs teach more about minipulation than about leadership. Rev. Burnett, you’re right; it hasn’t helped 150 much. In fact, I think it has been tossed aside after taxpayer money was wasted.