Cutting Oversight of Accreditation Will Spur Innovation, Says Education Dept. Critics Say Not So Fast - Eric Kelderman, Chronicle of Higher Ed

Last Monday the department released its recommendations for major changes in the rules regarding accreditation and how colleges qualify for federal financial aid. Approval by a federally recognized accrediting agency is a key condition for colleges to receive federal student-aid dollars — the lifeblood of most colleges.  Possible rule changes also include lowering requirements for colleges to operate online across multiple states, setting rules for distance learning, amending how religious colleges are treated by accreditors, and shifting the administration of federal grants for students who plan on classroom teaching, called Teach Grants. Negotiated rule-making on all of those recommendations, which will involve representatives of various interested groups, are to begin in the middle of January. https://www.chronicle.com/article/Cutting-Oversight-of/245429