Imagine America Research Archives

Educational research has been an integral component of the Foundation's activities since its establishment in 1982. The IAF Research Archives contains publications, articles and other materials catalogued in our archives since 1989. The goal of the IAF Research Archives is to provide free and full access to these materials, and to capture and preserve research that might otherwise be lost. For more information, please contact Foundation staff member Jenny Faubert at jennyf@imagine-america.org or 202.336.6743.

• Student Financial Aid Study of the States (1998) The Imagine America Foundation Student Financial Aid Study of the States (1998)
  Abstract: The study examined state policies on providing grant and scholarship assistance to those students who chose to attend private, for-profit institutions. A list of state loan and grant programs available to such students was included in the report, along with the eligibility criteria for the programs.
  Authors: The Imagine America Foundation
  Keywords: career college; career college sector; postsecondary education; private for-profit college
• Ability to Benefit Students in Private Career School Education (1991) Imagine America Foundation Ability to Benefit Students in Private Career School Education (1991)
  Abstract: This report discussed the issues raised by the 1991 enactment of a requirement that all ATB (ability-to-benefit) students had to pass an independently administered test in order to qualify for federal financial aid. Research indicated that ATB students had more of the risk factors that might prevent them from completing their postsecondary programs. These factors included being female, being a member of a minority group, having children, or being of non-traditional college age (under 18 or over 24).
  Authors: Imagine America Foundation
  Keywords: career college; career college sector; higher education; post secondary education; post secondary; postsecondary education; private career college; private for-profit; private for-profit college; student financial aid
• A Profile of the National Labor Market and Implications for American Education (1992) Imagine America Foundation A Profile of the National Labor Market and Implications for American Education (1992)
  Abstract: This profile analyzed the interlocking issues of changing labor market requirements, shifting demographic trends, and the need for a fresh educational response to pressing economic problems. The information was intended to help decision makers at the local, state and federal levels.
  Authors: Imagine America Foundation
  Keywords: career college; career college sector; postsecondary education; private for-profit; private for-profit college; student financial aid; higher education; post secondary education; post secondary
• Alternative Educational Indicators (1993) Imagine America Foundation Alternative Educational Indicators (1993)
  Abstract: This report explored alternative indicators to replace or supplement institutional default rates as an indicator of college and school quality. The report suggested using multiple indicators, incorporating community and labor market conditions. Indicators must also be easy to collect and report, reliable over time, unambiguous and easy to interpret, consistent across institution types, and they must lend themselves to annual updates and trend reporting. The report concludes with a list of sample indicators.
  Authors: Imagine America Foundation
  Keywords: career college; career college sector; private for-profit college; postsecondary education
• Accountability Measures - Review and Recommendations (1996) Imagine America Foundation Accountability Measures - Review and Recommendations (1996)
  Abstract: This report reviewed and evaluated different approaches to assessing postsecondary education institutions based on performance indicators, on both operational and political grounds. The report concluded by recommending the most useful and acceptable national performance indicators. These indicators can be used to assure that federal interests will be protected while schools and colleges are not crushed by unnecessary or punitive regulations.
  Authors: Imagine America Foundation
  Keywords: career college; career college sector; postsecondary education; private for-profit college
• Cost vs Price Workbook (1996) Imagine America Foundation Cost vs Price Workbook (1996)
  Abstract: This workbook was designed to clarify the difference in both cost and price between bids from community colleges and private career schools to provide state-funded educational programs. The conclusion was that community colleges, which are already subsidized by the state, would appear to have lower costs for such programs, but that eventually the difference between their bid and one from a private career school (whose price would generally be higher) would eventually be paid by the taxpayer.
  Authors: Imagine America Foundation
  Keywords: career college; career college sector; postsecondary education; private for-profit college