Comments: Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary’s Recognition of Accrediting Agencies

Dear Mr. Washington:

On behalf of the American Council on Education (ACE) and the undersigned higher education associations, we write to offer comments on the Department of Education’s (Department) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled, “Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary’s Recognition of Accrediting Agencies.” This NPRM seeks to implement Executive Order (EO) 14279 that proposes to amend the accreditation system1 with a stated goal of compelling accreditors to (1) ensure programs are free from unlawful discrimination; (2) allow institutions to adopt practices that advance credential and degree completion; (3) require institutions to prioritize academic freedom; (4) follow state laws; and (5) not engage in practices that result in burdensome costs to students.

While we acknowledge that there are ways the accreditation system, as with any system, can be improved, we also want to acknowledge the important and ongoing work of accrediting agencies in improving the quality of higher education… (download attachment for full letter).