"The aim, the department said in a news release, is to reduce "unduly burdensome and bureaucratic requirements" and increase "transparency and efficiency." "Instead of driving high-quality programs that better serve students, the antiquated accreditation system has led to inflated tuition costs and fees, administrative bloat, and ideology-driven initiatives at colleges across the country," Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education David Barker said. "We are excited to receive feedback on how best to update the Handbook, streamline guidance, and eliminate bureaucratic headaches for accrediting agencies and associations.""
"The request falls in line with an April executive order to "reform and strengthen" the accreditation system. It also comes less than a week before the next meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, the group that weighs in on accreditation issues and reviews accrediting agencies. The department is planning to draft new rules and regulations for accreditors sometime next year."
The Education Department announced a request for information to solicit public feedback on updating the accreditation handbook. The stated aim is to reduce "unduly burdensome and bureaucratic requirements" and increase "transparency and efficiency." Officials cited inflated tuition, administrative bloat, and ideology-driven initiatives as consequences of the current accreditation system. The request follows an April executive order to reform and strengthen accreditation and precedes a National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity meeting. The department plans to draft new rules and regulations for accreditors next year. Commenters have 45 days to respond to specific questions on innovation, cost reduction, handbook design, quality evaluation, federal recognition, and intellectual diversity.
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