A study examined public and private educational partnerships in the Washington, District of Columbia area. To gather data for the project, researchers conducted five case studies that focused on business investment in newly developed career programs in five District of Columbia high schools. During the study, researchers compared the reasons of each of the five sponsors for participating in educational partnerships. Each of the sponsors involved indicated that social responsibility goals were important in their decision to participate in such a partnership; however, other motives for participation that were more closely tied to the individual businesses were also apparent. Included among these were public relations, investment in human capital, and perpetuation of support for the capitalist system. Despite the similarities, the collaborative arrangements examined differed widely according to program objectives and how those involved viewed their roles. In the cases of the five programs examined, corporate involvement varied from attendance at quarterly meetings to weekly contact with program personnel. Although the researchers did not find any one model that appeared appropriate for all partnerships, even within the school system, they nevertheless felt that private sector interests can be compatible with the broader educational goals and objectives of school systems. (MN)