The Department of Education is moving to expedite the process for institutions to change accreditors, reflecting recent Trump administration initiatives. This includes a newly issued Dear Colleague letter that aligns with an executive order aimed at overhauling accreditation standards, particularly concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion. The changes also lift a previous moratorium on recognizing new accreditors, shifting the oversight landscape and reducing scrutiny over the accreditation process. The shift appears to promote competition among accreditors and institutions, with the overarching goal of addressing higher education costs and enhancing academic and workforce outcomes.
"We must foster a competitive marketplace both amongst accreditors and colleges and universities in order to lower college costs and refocus postsecondary education on improving academic and workforce outcomes for students and families," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said.
The Department of Education announced that ED had lifted the Biden Administration's moratorium on accepting and reviewing applications for initial recognition of potential new accreditors.
Last week the Trump administration released a highly anticipated executive order to overhaul accreditation, targeting accreditors with diversity, equity and inclusion standards.
The Trump administration revoked guidance from the Biden administration that exerted more scrutiny over changing accreditors, following Florida's Republican-led legislation requiring public institutions to switch accreditors regularly.
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