Contrary to popular opinion, private two-year colleges are not moribund, but they must keep a tight rein and concentrate on improving their programs. (Editor)

Illustrates how proprietary schools and community colleges have used market research techniques to identify marketing problems, determine student characteristics, measure market penetration, understand market position vis-a-vis the competition, and assess applicants' perceptions. (AYC)

Examines the role of the states in evaluating career colleges, indicating that state oversight is a response to demands for accountability related to student achievement and the use of financial aid. Suggests that the overall result of state monitoring may be a forced convergence of career and community colleges. (17 citations) (MAB)

Presents an overview of the problems and challenges facing postsecondary education posed by economic conditions, enrollment fluctuations, and rapid changes in the job market. Urges public and proprietary school leaders to develop long-range plans to complement and supplement each other's efforts through communication and cooperation. (DMM)

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)

Offers an annotated bibliography of ERIC materials on ways in which two-year colleges have assessed the educational needs and interests of their service areas, descriptions of community college programs for local employers, and descriptions of and guidelines for the marketing efforts of community colleges and proprietary schools. (AYC)

Describes ways in which proprietary schools are becoming more like community colleges, focusing on institutional mission, funding, and governance. Indicates that the transition to career colleges is characterized by longer programs, higher academic credentials for instructors, and pursuit of accreditation and degree-granting authority. (13…

Examines the arguments regarding convergence between community colleges and proprietary institutions put forth by the other authors in the current volume. Concludes that the convergence between institutions is more apparent than real, but that if external pressures continue or increase, it may become reality. (MAB)

Describes changes in career and community college curricula, focusing on the general education function, structure, developmental education components, technical specialization, and connections between basic education and technology. Suggests that educational partnerships and curriculum changes are agents of societal renewal. (23 citations) (MAB)

Examines changes in the accreditation environment and the resulting implications for the articulation of students from for-profit to not-for-profit institutions such as community colleges. Indicates that the costs of programmatic redundancy and duplication brought about by mission convergence at these institutions will emerge as a major policy…

Describes the development of a comprehensive statewide articulated system for allied health education encompassing all postsecondary college, vocational, proprietary, and hospital-based allied health programs in Kentucky. Discusses the following phases: planning, comparing curricula, articulation review, and developing and negotiating transfer…

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…