Foster, a newspaper editor, founded the school to provide coal miners with education needed to advance in their careers and improve worker safety.

[4] ICS became known in the 1980s for its ubiquitous television commercials featuring celebrity spokesperson Sally Struthers, a long recited list of career-skills choices, and the catchphrase "Do you want to make more money?

[9] Reed Elsevier acquired Harcourt in 2001 and divested its higher education unit to Thomson Corporation.

[12] In December 2009, Penn Foster Career School was purchased by test preparation and educational support company The Princeton Review, and in 2012 the Princeton Review brand name and operations were bought for $33 million by Charlesbank Capital Partners, a private-equity firm.

[18] Penn Foster High School [19] offers a flexible and accredited online learning platform designed to meet the diverse needs of students.