The utility of the Wilms study for policy making in vocational education is critically examined. A set of criteria for examining research for policy is presented and then applied to the Wilms study with the conclusion that because of its weaknesses the report cannot be taken seriously for policymaking although it has done a service to the…

This article shares some of the strategies and activities that the author believes will improve the connections between independent career education and the world of work. These activities concern school business cooperation, student motivation, student involvement, staff involvement, community and government relations, and career planning and…

Describes how a small proprietary college, rooted in a community, can develop employer networks to place students in jobs and at the same time track market changes. Argues that firm links with local employers enables the college to translate demands for employees into new programs. (AYC)

Discusses student retention as an institution-wide responsibility. Says enrollment maintenance requires three ingredients: (1) satisfied students and alumni, (2) caring teachers and staff, and (3) concerned, aware administrators. (CH)

Questionnaires were sent to 13,549 graduates of four types of proprietary and nonproprietary vocational training programs. Substantial differences favoring nonproprietary programs were found between proprietary and nonproprietary graduates in terms of economic gains following graduation and expressed satisfaction. Nevertheless, both types of…

The expansion of private sectors of higher education has usually been regarded as a factor of diversification in higher education systems. Some of this differentiation has been associated, but without systematic study, to the affiliation of private institutions with organizations outside the field of higher education. This article reports the…

This report examines the financing patterns and demographic characteristics of students at private, for-profit institutions. There are three levels of private, for-profit institutions: less-than-2-year, 2-year, and 4-year institutions. The analysis focuses on students attending 2-year and less-than-2-year, for-profit institutions. The high…

The purpose of this report is to determine how best to ensure that California citizens will have high quality private postsecondary education opportunities and further, to assess the appropriate role for the State to play. It has been 14 years since the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act was passed, and a number of…

The six regional accrediting associatio working closely with each other can establish a sound approach to the accreditation of vocational education. (Author)

With many state universities turning away eligible teacher-education candidates because of state funding limitations, proprietary schools like the new University of Phoenix (Arizona) provide an attractive option for adult students despite their higher cost. University of Phoenix operates in 12 states and Puerto Rico, calls itself a private…

Believing they are threatened by the Education Department, which they consider unfriendly, officials of proprietary schools have made substantial campaign contributions over the past two years to shore up their support in Congress, just at the time lawmakers prepared to consider changes in student-aid rules that would be unfavorable to…

Analysis of the impact of current student financial aid policy on different sectors suggests that new policy is required. The success of the proprietary sector in increasing its market share at the expense of other sectors (e.g., community colleges) provides useful lessons about aggressive recruiting. (Author/MSE)

The results of a questionnaire given to child care center directors, Head Start directors, and prekindergarten directors in public schools revealed that administrators do not view public relations, or "planned communications," as a high priority. (BB)

Analysis of teaching styles of 264 proprietary school instructors in allied health, business, and technical programs revealed a strong preference for teacher-directed instruction, especially in technical programs. Instructors with higher education teacher training and female instructors tended toward a more collaborative mode. (SK)

A commercial enterprise, the Teaching Company, is recruiting gifted college teachers to record courses on video and audio tape, to be marketed nationally in an adult education series. While some colleagues dismiss such ventures, participating faculty feel the company is helping their disciplines. Some of the company's competitors hire actors…