ED Releases Accreditation Rule for Public Comment

The Trump administration took the next step Wednesday in its effort to overhaul who decides which institutions should have access to federal aid and how, releasing proposed changes to the Education Department’s accreditation rules for public comment.

Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said in a statement the changes are aimed at ensuring accreditors prioritize student outcomes.

“Instead of ensuring institutions offer high-quality educational programs that justify the time and cost of a college education, the antiquated accreditation system has contributed to inflated tuition, administrative bloat, and ideology-driven mandates on college campuses,” Kent added.

Under the 354-page rule, accreditors’ responsibilities would significantly expand to include policing First Amendment compliance and research misconduct as well as considering spending efficiency in their reviews of institutions. The rule could also force many quality-evaluation groups to set more specific standards for their member institutions when it comes to student achievement and hiring and to rethink their decades-old peer-review model.

Many of these changes faced pushback from the advisory committee tasked to review them. That committee, though, signed off on the department’s proposal after two rounds of negotiations. So the rule released Wednesday is largely the same as what they agreed to in May.

Another, less controversial change will require accreditors to ensure colleges clearly explain how transfer credits are evaluated and why any courses are denied.

The regulations would also make it easier for new accreditors to enter the market and receive federal recognition.

Higher ed lobbyists, accrediting groups and others with skin in the game have until Sept. 19 to make comments. After that, the department must respond to every comment and make any necessary changes before finalizing the rule. If it is finalized before Nov. 1, the rule would take effect July 1, 2027.