USDE Releases New Issue Papers; Higher Ed Reform Bill Approved

Accreditation Negotiated Rulemaking Publishes New Issue Papers

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has published its issue papers and draft regulatory changes for the negotiators to consider in the second round of negotiated rulemaking, which is to be held from February 5 through February 9, 2024. There will be a final negotiated rulemaking session in March 2024.
 
As was reported in CHEA’s Federal Update 109, the USDE’s Institutional Quality and Program Integrity Committee will discuss six topics, three of which impact accreditation: Accreditation, State Authorization, and Distance Education. Although there are some improvements in the regulatory text, further work is needed. 

All negotiated rulemaking sessions will be virtual, and the public will be able to view the meetings.

Higher Education Reform Bill Approved by Education and Workforce Committee

An amendment of H.R. 6951, the Higher Education Reform Act, was approved – by a vote of 22 to 19 –  by the Education and Workforce Committee on January 31, 2024. The legislation will now be sent to the U.S. House of Representatives floor for a vote. No date for the bill’s consideration has been scheduled.

As reported in Federal Update 110, most of this legislation focuses on higher education costs, however, it also recommends several significant changes to the accreditation provisions of the Higher Education Act. The approved amendment did not address challenging accreditation provisions in the bill, such as accreditors, would not seat board or commission members from their accredited institutions.

CHEA will continue to work in the best interests of institutions as it follows negotiated rulemaking and H.R. 6951.