North Carolina Forces Change of Institutional Accreditor

North Carolina Forces Changes to Accreditation (Inside Higher Ed, October 10, 2023)  A new law will require public institutions to change accreditors every cycle. Passed quietly with no debate, the bill follows similar legislation passed in Florida.

Accreditation Group Wants Education Department to Withdraw Guidance on Complaints (Higher Ed Dive, September 27, 2023)  The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the leading accreditor group in the U.S. called for the U.S. Department of Education to withdraw its recent guidance on how accrediting agencies should handle complaints against colleges or academic programs.

Middle States Plan Calls for ‘Intense Scrutiny’ of Outsourced Marketing, Recruiting (Higher Ed Dive, October 5, 2023)  The accreditor is seeking public comment on its new draft policy over colleges’ relationships with online program managers and other third parties.

What is Accreditation? Your Biggest Questions About College Accreditation Answered (Accredited Schools Online, September 19, 2023)  Accreditation is a key part of educational quality assurance. The U.S. government has required colleges to be accredited to qualify for federal financial aid since 1952. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) was formed to introduce more rigorous standards for assessing educational quality. The organization recognizes accrediting agencies that holistically evaluate institutional and programmatic academic excellence and accountability.

Academic Freedom, Institutional Autonomy, and Quality: A Conversation with CHEA (iHeart Spreaker, September 2023)  Host Dr. Amy Dykens sits down with Council for Higher Education Accreditation President Dr. Cynthia Jackson Hammond and discusses the federal and state legislative impact on higher education and the significance of CHEA recognition on accreditation.