Rulemaking on Accreditation Concludes First Week of Negotiations

Wrapping up its first session of negotiations last week, the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) committee discussed the Department of Education’s proposed regulatory changes to accreditation but did not come to any resolution. The committee will meet for a second and final session the week of May 18-22.

As anticipated, some of the most hotly debated issues focused on the Department’s proposed changes to student achievement standards, transfer of credit policies, free speech and academic freedom protections, and provisions requiring that accreditors be “separate and independent” from related trade associations. That debate is expected to continue when negotiations resume.

Other issues on the table appeared to be far less contentious. For example, both the Department and negotiators seem to be largely aligned in favor of proposed changes on approving new accreditors, changing accreditors, and having multiple accreditors. While general language on reducing regulatory burden also garnered widespread support, it’s not clear how likely the regulations are to streamline the accreditation process, given the detailed requirements that the Department is proposing to add in other areas.

Although the Department has made some modest concessions in response to feedback from negotiators during the first week, it remains to be seen whether final agreement can be reached on some of the more contentious issues.

At the conclusion of negotiated rulemaking, the Department has stated that it intends to publish final regulations by November 1, 2026 in order to implement the new rules on July 1, 2027.

For more information, please contact:
Jody Feder