Accreditation Reform Reaches Consensus

Why this is here: Bob Shireman stated the positive aspects of the proposed reforms “in no way are enough to make the rest of it worth doing.”

The U.S. Education Department’s negotiated rulemaking committee for accreditation reform concludes this week.

The committee is expected to reach a consensus, potentially leading to new rules by July of next year. Colleges acknowledge a need for improvement in accreditation but disagree with the department’s methods.

The department aims to address affordability and credit transfer issues through new standards for student return on investment. However, accreditation experts like Bob Shireman argue the proposed reforms add regulatory burdens and risk academic freedom. David Baime of the American Association of Community Colleges notes that even positive proposals, like presumed credit transferability, will create administrative costs for institutions.

Under Secretary Nicholas Kent has successfully negotiated policy shifts in areas like student loans and program accountability through similar processes. The current administration employs assertive strategies to enact its policies, but data systems needed to support some new regulations, such as those measuring graduate earnings, are not yet fully in place across the sector. Further reform efforts are likely, and institutions may need to proactively address shortcomings.