Junior colleges, which began to expand in size and importance in the 1960s, have had a profound impact on the economy and social structure of Taiwan. The junior colleges of Taiwan resemble tech prep programs in the United States. Today, 74 junior colleges in Taiwan enroll 200,000 students in grades 10-14 and almost another 200,000 in 2-year programs. Junior college is considered a prestigious entity, leading to economic success for students, although it is not as prestigious as academic high school, which leads to university education. Students qualify for all education past grade 9 based on a national examination, with the top 40 percent of students going on to academic high school. Junior college begins at the equivalent of grade 10 and continues for 5 years, combining the last 3 years of high school with 2 years of college. Parents have little involvement in the schooling, but the junior colleges have filled that role by providing counseling and health services. Both private and public junior colleges exist; although the private colleges are about three times more expensive than the public colleges, little difference in instruction seems evident. The Taiwan Ministry of Education provides strong guidance to the junior college system. The system has been effective in serving the need of students and raising the levels of education, income, and status for many in Taiwan. (Contains 29 references.) (KC)