Reforming Accreditation To Strengthen Higher Education

What it means

Directs the Department of Education to hold higher education accreditors accountable for student outcomes rather than diversity initiatives. Orders investigation of law and medical school accreditors whose standards may promote unlawful discrimination through DEI requirements.

Expected impact

• More focus on academic quality and student outcomes in college accreditation
• Potential challenges to diversity initiatives at universities as accreditors shift away from DEI requirements
• Increased competition among accreditors as the Department of Education begins recognizing new ones
• Streamlined processes for institutions to change accreditors and for accreditors to gain recognition
• New experimental programs to test innovative quality assurance models in higher education
• Possible resistance from educational institutions with strong diversity commitments