National Education Center Logo

National Education Centers, Inc (NEC) was a for-profit post-secondary education organization in North America. Through more than 50 campuses and subsidiaries, it offered career-oriented diploma, Associates and bachelor's degree programs in advertising design, architectural design, health care, business, criminal justice, transportation technology, construction trades, and information technology.

History

National Education Centers, a subsidiary of National Education Corporation, was incorporated in the State of California on Monday, January 20, 1964. Its primary office was located at 27 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467. National Education Centers, Inc had schools and campuses across the United States. Most campuses were nationally institutionally accredited by one of two national accrediting agencies: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC); or Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). NEC acquired the professional training firms Deltak and Resource Systems from Prentice Hall in 1986. National Education Center.^[1] NEC began running into financial trouble as early as 1989 and began selling some of its assets and continued to do so through 1997.^[2]

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. acquired 16 colleges from National Education Centers in 1995.^[3][4] At one time, Corinthian Colleges Inc. was one of the largest companies in the United States involved in for-profit, post-secondary education. In 2000 it maintained 45 colleges in 18 states in its system, with a total enrollment of more than 18,000 students. By early 2015, Corinthian Colleges and twenty-four of its subsidiaries ceased operations.^[5]

Sylvan Learning Systems Inc., agreed to acquire remaining assets of National Education Corporation in 1997. At the time of the acquisition, National Education was the world's largest provider of education through mail or computers. It also owns 83 percent of the Steck-Vaughn Publishing Corporation, one of the nation's largest publishers of supplemental education materials.^[6] However, Sylvan's offer was topped by Harcourt General.^[7]

Associated Organization Names

As of 1997 National Education Center was a subsidiary of Harcourt General Inc. and had several operating entities.^[8]

• National Education Centers, Inc.
• National Education Corporation
• National Education Enterprises, Inc.
• National Education International Corp.
• National Education Payroll Corp.

Associated Schools and Campuses

Anthony Schools: located in California and offering real estate classes, sold in 1983 and later acquired by Kaplan, Inc.

Arizona Automotive Institute: Located in Glendale, AZ, this vocational school training prepares graduates for careers in many disciplines, including Diesel – Heavy Truck; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Basic Refrigeration (HVAC/BR); Combination Welding; & Automotive Service Technology.

Advertising Design Campus: Located in Glendale, AZ near sister school AAI, National Education Center's Advertising Design Program provided accredited post-secondary education in Advertising Design. Students who complete the program earn an Associates of Specialized Business Degree in Advertising Design. The program covered a range of subjects including illustration, animation, graphic design, photography, video editing, and various methods of fine arts and art history.

Bryman College: Bryman operated several campuses mostly in California. The original Bryman Schools were founded in 1960 by Mrs. Esther Bryman as the Los Angeles Colleges of Medical and Dental Assistants. The Bryman Schools were acquired by National Education Corporation in 1975. In 1983, the school names were changed to National Education Center Bryman Campus.

National Institute of Technology: National Education Center operated many campuses across the United States under the name National Institute of Technology and National Education Center College of Technology.

Sawyer Schools: secretarial schools

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: (nicknamed Spartan and initially named Spartan School of Aeronautics) is a for-profit aviation institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma that offers training in aviation, aviation electronics, flight, nondestructive testing, quality control, and aircraft maintenance.

Notes

References

Crouch, G. (1989, August 15). National Education Corp.: U.S. Asks for Plan on Student Loan Defaults. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1989-08-15/business/fi-662_1_national-education

Johnson, G. (1994, June 29). National Education Will Sell Training Centers, Lay Off 40. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1994-06-29/business/fi-9993_1_national-education

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. History. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/corinthian-colleges-inc-history/

Gilpin, K. N. (1997, March 13). National Education Agrees to Be Acquired for $750 Million. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/13/business/national-education-agrees-to-be-acquired-for-750-million.html

Harcourt General Inc. Annual Report, Reg. S-K Item 405 - Form 10-K. (1997, October 31). Retrieved from http://www.secinfo.com/dsvRx.79b.a.htm#1stPage

U.S. Department of Education. Closed School Weekly/Monthly Reports. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/PEPS/closedschools.html