Foundation Funds Provide Assist to Celebrated Teacher Escalante

A star and his leader

Church of Scientology

Tom Cruise and David Miscavige after a brunch at Scientology’s Celebrity Centre in Hollywood about a year ago.

By Robert W. Welkos and Joel Sappell, Times Staff Writers
June 27, 1990
The Scientology movement's Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education has befriended one of America's most celebrated teachers, Jaime Escalante of Garfield High School.

Escalante is the East Los Angeles teacher profiled in the hit 1988 film "Stand and Deliver," which chronicled his success in teaching advanced calculus to barrio students.

 
During the last few years, the foundation has provided Escalante with tens of thousands of dollars for computers, audiovisual aids, tutors and scholarships. In addition, the foundation has solicited contributions from major corporations to help Escalante's Garfield High mathematics program grow in size and sophistication.

In fact, the foundation has been Escalante's primary benefactor.

He is now teaming up with the foundation to develop a series of 12 educational videos for distribution by the Public Broadcasting System. Called "Futures," the series is intended to motivate students by showing them the relevancy of math in the workplace. The foundation's president will be the executive producer, while Escalante will be host of the series.

The Scientology Story
A Times Series From 1990
PART ONE
The Mind Behind the Religon
June 24, 1990

  • Defining the Theology
  • The Man in Control
   • Burglaries and Lies Paved a Path to Prison
  • Church Scriptures Get High-Tech Protection

PART TWO
Church Markets Its Gospel With High-Pressure Sales
June 25, 1990

  • Shoring Up Its Religious Profile
  • The Courting of Celebrities

PART THREE
Defectors Recount Lives of Hard Work, Punishment
June 26, 1990

PART FOUR
Church Seeks Influence in Schools, Business, Science
June 27, 1990

  • Courting the Power Brokers
  • Funds Assist Celebrated Teacher Escalante

PART FIVE
Costly Strategy Continues to Turn Out Bestsellers
June 28, 1990

PART SIX
On the Offensive Against Suspected Foes
June 29, 1990

  • Suits Fuel Campaign Against Psychiatry
  • When the Doctrine Leaves the Church
  • Neither Side Blinks in a Lengthy Feud

COMPLETE SERIES

Escalante says he was unaware of the foundation's links to Scientology. "No, no," he said, "they (foundation officials) never mentioned that name." But, he added, it makes no difference.

"From my point of view," he said, "I really don't mind what they are. The only thing I care about is that they help my students, my kids. That's my main goal."

The foundation, for its part, has not been reticent about publicizing its support of Escalante. Its promotional literature regularly includes photographs of Escalante in his classroom or standing side-by-side with beaming foundation executives.




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