Four types of postsecondary institutions offer vocational-technical programs: proprietary, private not-for-profit less-than-2-year, public less-than-2-year, and public 2-year colleges. A study compared the students enrolled in each of these types of institutions and examined the rate at which students enrolled at each type of institution obtain…

This report presents the results of a survey of 5 public and 22 private schools in which Work Incentive Program (WIN) registrants were enrolled for vocational training during the vouchering feasibility test in Portland, Oregon. The data include the responses of school representatives to an interview schedule that asked about the schools, their…

The current status of proprietary school education in Montana and the relationship between state-federal agencies and proprietary schools were studied. Data and information were collected via questionnaires, meetings, personal interviews, personal observations, and input from concerned individuals. Section 2 of the report shows the present status,…

The American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) criticized the General Accounting Office (GAO) report which stated that federal student financial aid was being spent to train proprietary school students for oversupplied occupations. The GAO defended the following findings: (1) an occupation-specific training program that lacked a general…

An evaluation was conducted of private career schools as part of Washington State's accountability system for workforce development. Of some 230 private career schools in the state, 8 volunteered information. Information was also gathered from employment records of the Employment Security Department for 5,902 persons who were students of these…

Puts forward the thesis of convergence of community colleges and proprietary schools, which suggests that career and community colleges are becoming increasingly alike in providing a specialized form of education and training beyond secondary school. Compares aspects of the two institutions, and provides groundwork for informed discussion on the…

Reviews the history of proprietary schools in the United States, arguing that convergence with community colleges is a possible but not a necessary direction. Indicates that proprietary schools developed to fill a vacuum in the training sector, but that they made inroads in the postsecondary sector using federal money. (21 citations) (MAB)

Describes a study designed to compare demographics of community college students with those of proprietary school students. Indicates that community college and proprietary school students differed more in the past than they do currently, and that proprietary not-for-profit institutions may contribute to the apparent convergence. (27 citations)…

Argues that the apparent convergence of community colleges and proprietary schools is in large part caused by changes in federal student aid policy. Suggests that the apparent convergence masks real and profound differences between these institutions in the areas of mission, governance, size, articulation with other sectors, costs, and market…

Although the benefits of articulation between secondary and postsecondary vocational programs are clear, progress in articulation between proprietary schools and secondary and/or postsecondary programs has been slow. The fundamental barrier to articulation between proprietary schools and postsecondary vocational education programs is faculty…

This study asks, "Are proprietary schools able to hold their students to graduation better than public schools?""Who are the dropouts and what difference does completing a vocational program make? Do completers get better jobs and earn more than dropouts?" A total of 1,576 students were followed after they enrolled in 50 public…

Proprietary schools fill an important gap in post-high school education. Because it is profit-oriented, the proprietary school is forced to provide new and unusual programs for the benefit of employers and students. The simple factor of specialization affords these schools an advantage over public schools. Other advantages, as reported by…

The role of state agency regulation, oversight, and funding of programs at New Jersey's private, postsecondary trade schools was examined through meeting participation, review of existing regulations, and interviews with agency staff. Findings were as follows: (1) proprietary vocational schools play a large role in New Jersey's postsecondary…

A telephone poll examined the current and future role of proprietary schools in providing vocational education. A representative national cross-section of over 1,000 adults was surveyed regarding the value of specialized education, factors affecting selection of a training program, and intentions of possibly changing careers. Data collected from…

Results are presented of a study on ways of using private vocational schools for training disadvantaged persons. The potential social role of these schools is considered first, followed by advantages to students and employers because of the schools' flexible operation and organization, progress toward better evaluation of schools through voluntary…