Tag: Accreditation
ACICS Files Suit to Overturn Loss of Recognition
Jay Vaughan and Naomi Harralson May
On December 12, 2016, US Secretary of Education John King issued his final – and expected – decision denying the appeal filed by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and terminated its status as a federally recognized accrediting agency.
ED Senior Department Official Terminates Federal Recognition of ACICS
Jay Vaughan and Naomi Harralson May
On September 22, the Senior Department Official (SDO) for the US Department of Education (ED) released a letter announcing the decision to terminate the recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as a gatekeeper for student financial aid programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title IV programs).
Implications of Potential Denial of ACICS Recognition by ED
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.
ED Adopts Changes to Clock and Credit Hour Rules
Jay Vaughan and Naomi Harralson May
Earlier this month, the US Department of Education (ED or the Department) announced a number of changes to the so-called “cash management” regulations that govern institutional arrangements with financial account providers and will take effect on July 1, 2016.
Pending Rulemaking Likely to Expand Borrower Defenses Against Repaying Federal Direct Loans
Jonathon Glass and Kate Lee Carey
The US Department of Education (ED) is preparing for a new rulemaking that is intended to clarify—and very likely expand—the ability of student borrowers to be relieved of the obligation to repay their Federal Direct Loans.
Further Refinement to Accreditation in Higher Education
Jay Vaughan, Naomi Harralson May and Robin Dasher-Alston
Reacting to ongoing concerns and complaints expressed by members of Congress and others, the accrediting community has been very busy introducing new policies and procedures and refining their respective processes in preparation for the looming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
New Pathways for Unaccredited Entities and Non-Institutional Education Providers
Jay Vaughan, Mike Goldstein and Robin Dasher-Alston
Accreditors have been seen as obstacles to innovation in higher education. In April we issued a Cooley Alert on new WASC guidelines for disaggregating institutional services. Now WASC and DEAC have issued separate policies that appear intended to make it easier for new institutions to come into existence and for the validation of courses provided by unaccredited entities.
WASC Senior Commission Issues New Guidelines on Third-Party Providers
Jay Vaughan, Mike Goldstein and Robin Dasher-Alston
The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC or the Commission) has issued a revision of its policy on agreements between accredited institutions and unaccredited entities, such as service providers.