Is Blackstone Legally Blackstone?

And did he ever get his administrator's license?

It looks like Engin Blackstone aka Engin Karatas (his Turkish birth name), is still using the last name Blackstone instead of his Turkish name, Karatas -- but this time -- he is doing it in Peoria, Illinois.

Why is that?

Below is an article about "Blackstone's" new position as the Director at "Peoria's first, modern-day public charter school." The article lists all of Blackstone' accomplishments, but forgets to include the fact that he never held more than a 1-year temporary Administrator's license (after how many years of teaching and being an administrator in Ohio)?

Likewise, we cannot find a current administrative and/or teaching license for Blackstone or Karatas (either name) in the state of Illinois.

So if Blackstone is the next best thing since sliced bread, why can't he get a teaching or administrative license? Do you suppose it might have something to do with his inability to remember his legal name when applying for licensure? Or is it because there is a double standard here -- it's okay for the boys to teach and "direct" without licenses, but not for the American teachers?

Here's a quote from Blackstone when asked how he hires teachers at his school:

"Eligible teacher candidates submit their resumes. We review them, inviting selected candidates to the first interview. We talk about teachers' qualifications and their education philosophy during our first interview. We rate the candidates based on the first meeting, run reference checks and determine whether we are going on to a second round or not. During the second interview, we talk at length about our high expectations. The last step is making the offer and signing the contract. We use various sources to reach eligible candidates. Teach for America has proven to be an excellent source for good teachers. Hiring non-teaching staff members is essentially the same process, focusing on high expectations and accountability."

Sounds great -- so why is Blackstone , aka Karatas exempt from those same procedures?

Maybe his buddy Ucan can explain that to the press. And while he is at it, how about explaining why Blackstone was his top pick -- was it because he was a Turkish male under the age of 40 and part of the "organization?"

And it would seem that before the PCSI school district decided to shell out $728,000 to a school under Blackstone's leadership, that they might have wanted to investigate his background and lack of credentials instead of simply taking Ucan's word for it.

According to the article, "Concept Schools operates 19 math and science charter schools in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The not-for-profit company model involves principals who are employed and trained by Concept." The article does not mention how all of the "principals," that are employed and trained are Turkish males involved in the Gulen movement.

Here's the article:

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x699611714/Principal-approved-for-Peoria-charter-school

PEORIA — A former math teacher and Ohio charter school director has been approved to oversee Peoria's first, modern-day public charter school.

Engin Blackstone, a former principal at the Horizon Science Academy in Toledo - a school serving about 280 students in grades nine through 12 - has been selected by the board of directors of the Peoria Charter School Initiative to start up the new Peoria Math, Science and Technology Academy.

Blackstone, an employee of Concept Schools Inc. - the Des Plaines-based management firm chosen by PCSI to operate the charter school - will almost immediately begin with the work of student recruitment and hiring staff, Concept Vice President Salim Ucan said Monday, calling Blackstone his top pick.

"He was the first guy I had in mind for Peoria," Ucan said, noting Blackstone worked alongside him as an assistant principal at the Chicago Math and Science Academy that Concept operates while Ucan was principal there. "He is very community oriented and family oriented. He has the team approach."

While directing the Toledo charter school, Blackstone saw its academic rating move up two notches from "continuous improvement" to receiving the "excellent" rating for the 2008-09 school year, the most recent report cards from the Ohio Department of Education, according to the Toledo Blade.

Ucan said less than 15 percent of schools in Ohio share that same designation.

Blackstone could not be reached for comment.

PCSI officials plan to introduce the new principal during a news conference Wednesday at the RiverWest Community Center. They also will detail the student application process and time line and announce a number of community educational forums being planned throughout the city.

The Peoria charter school will start with 225 students in August in grades 5 through 7 before adding a class per year up through 12th grade. Enrollment is open to anyone living in the district. Academic achievement is not a factor, unlike a magnet or gifted school.

Concept Schools operates 19 math and science charter schools in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The not-for-profit company model involves principals who are employed and trained by Concept.

Four more schools are slated to open this fall, including Peoria, Ucan said, describing Peoria as the "2.0 version," in part because of its greater focus and additional staff for teaching and learning new technology as it becomes available.

District 150 approved a five-year contract in January with PCSI. It includes a $1 per-year lease payment to District 150 for use of Loucks School, where the charter school will operate next year.

The district will provide about $728,000 to PCSI for the 2010-11 school year based on general state aid and number of students, which district officials say is the same amount of money that would be provided to the district from the state. The charter school is responsible for other costs, including transportation, food services and special education. It sets its own calender and determines its own governing board.

"This school will have all the best practices," Ucan said. "It's a model school not just for all charter schools but for us as