The Department of Education issued an interpretive rule about how new college accreditors gain federal recognition, as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to rid what it deems excessive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The move seeks to make it easier for new agencies—which oversee financial and academic standards at colleges and universities—to apply for recognition and encourage more organizations to do so, and “break up the existing monopolies in the accreditation market,” according to a Thursday statement from the department.
Colleges’ eligibility for federal funding is based on standards enforced by accreditors.
“The Trump Administration is reforming the ...