Public Comment Period on Review of Vocational School Guides Extended until July 1

The Federal Trade Commission has extended the deadline for receipt of public comment on its Guides for Private Vocational Schools, until July 1, 1996. As part of its ongoing periodic review of its rules and guides, the FTC published in the April 3 Federal Register, a notice seeking comments about the overall costs and benefits of the guides and their regulatory and economic impact. The Commission also seeks comment as to whether there are problems today in the marketing of vocational school programs or correspondence courses.

The Guides for Private Vocational Schools provide guidance about acceptable or unacceptable claims in advertisements or promotional materials for resident or correspondence courses or training or instruction programs by private career or vocational schools. Specifically, the guides pertain to claims about the nature of the school, its accreditation, methods of teaching and available employment opportunities. The guides have been in effect since August 1972.

Comments should be addressed to: Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, Room 159, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Comments on the Vocational Schools Guides should be identified as “16 CFR Part 254 -- Comment.

The Commission vote to extend the deadline for public comment was 5-0.

Copies of the Federal Register notices, and the guides, are available from the FTC’s Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-326-2222; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710. FTC news releases and other materials also are available on the Internet at the FTC’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.ftc.gov

(FTC File No.: Vocational Schools - P964220)