THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE INVESTIGATION WAS GAINING ACCESS TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECORDS. A MAJOR FINDING WAS THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS BIASED TOWARD THE SCHOOLS AND WORKS ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE ACTION OF THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE ACTION OF THE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL IS CORRECT REGARDLESS OF CHALLENGES BY STUDENTS, THE STATE, OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. FURTHER, DESPITE EXTENSIVE LEGAL AUTHORITY, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ENFORCED NEITHER ITS OWN REGULATIONS NOR THE EDUCATION LAW. THE NEW YORK EDUCATION LAW AND REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN RATED AMONG THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE IN THE NATION. THEY REQUIRE LICENSING OF ALL PRIVATE BUSINESS AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, WHICH IS IN TURN DEPENDENT UPON SCHOOL COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING METHODS, CONTENT, INSTRUCTION, ADVERTISING, EQUIPMENT, PERSONNEL, ENROLLMENT, AND TUITION AND REFUND POLICIES. THIS SET OF LAWS WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE UNDER 21 YEARS OLD AND ARE VETERANS OR MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS. ALTHOUGH SEVERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND LOANS MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THESE STUDENTS TO ATTEND A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, APPROXIMATELY 65 PERCENT OF ALL STUDENTS DROP OUT PRIOR TO COURSE COMPLETION BECAUSE OF DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SCHOOL'S PROGRAM. MANY QUESTIONABLE ADVERTISING PRACTICES AND FALSE OR MISLEADING CLAIMS MADE BY THESE SCHOOLS ARE REVIEWED TO ILLUSTRATE THE EXTENT OF VIOLATIONS AND THE LACK OF ENFORCEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. A SERIES OF COMPLAINTS AND CHARGES AGAINST PRIVATE VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS REVEALS THE DEPARTMENT'S CONSISTENT FAILURE TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION AGAINST SCHOOLS FOR VIOLATIONS. THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPEARS TO OPERATE AS A TRADE ASSOCIATION FOR THESE SCHOOLS RATHER THAN AS A REGULATOR. RECOMMENDATIONS TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE REGULATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT IT IS MEETING ITS ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES, DISCLOSURE OF DROPOUT RATES AND JOB PLACEMENTS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT (BY THE LEGISLATURE) OF MINIMUM STANDARDS OF ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS. (JAP)