Jay Vaughan, Robin Dasher-Alston and Naomi Harralson May
On June 23, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) will meet to consider the recommendation of US Department of Education (ED or the Department) staff that the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) be removed from the list of accrediting agencies recognized by the Department as a reliable authority regarding the quality of education or training offered by institutions it accredits.
This recommendation is the first in a chain of events that could have major impact on over 200 ACICS-accredited schools that enroll more than 800,000 students. This Alert is intended to describe the process that might unfold and offer guidance to institutions that might be affected. The accreditation professionals on the Cooley Education Team stand ready to assist our clients in managing the effects of what may be an exceptionally disruptive period in American postsecondary education.