The White House has issued a directive focusing on significant reforms in the accreditation process for higher education institutions. The announcement is aimed at addressing concerns associated with the effectiveness and standards of accreditors that act as gatekeepers for institutions receiving federal student loans and Pell Grants.
According to the directive, "a group of higher education accreditors are the gatekeepers that decide which colleges and universities American students can spend the more than $100 billion in Federal student loans and Pell Grants dispersed each year." However, the statement highlights that accreditors "have not only failed in this responsibility to students, families, and American taxpayers, but they have also abused their enormous authority."
The document criticizes accreditors for endorsing institutions that allegedly offer low-quality education and result in poor outcomes for students, contributing to student debt without corresponding gains in career opportunities. The directive states, "the national six-year undergraduate graduation rate was an alarming 64 percent in 2020," with a high percentage of graduates ending up in debt with "very modest earnings potential."
Concerns were raised about the accreditation standards related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI), which some accreditors purportedly require institutions to adopt. The directive states that these standards sometimes intrude on local authority, a concern highlighted by the urging to end discrimination through DEI requirements.
The directive particularly criticizes certain organizations such as the American Bar Association’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. It argues that their standards requiring a commitment to diversity "blatantly violates the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College."
Proposed reforms include holding accreditors accountable for unlawful actions, investigating discriminatory practices in American law and medical schools, and realigning accreditation standards to focus on educational quality free from discrimination. Newly instituted principles aim to ensure accreditation aligns with delivering high-quality and valuable education and support "intellectual diversity."
The directive outlines a set of actions, including the resumption of recognizing new accreditors to increase competition and accountability, ensuring accreditors require the use of data to improve student outcomes, and streamlining processes to remove burdensome practices.
"This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations," while not intending to create enforceable rights or benefits by any party against the United States.
The reforms are part of an effort to address dysfunctions in the current accreditation system, with an emphasis on preventing discrimination and ensuring institutions provide necessary value to students and taxpayers.
