Higher Education Accreditation Accountability Act

This bill changes federal rules for groups that accredit colleges and for colleges that want to switch accreditors. A new accreditor would need to have accredited at least one school or program for 2 years in a row before applying for federal recognition, and its first recognition could last no more than 3 years, with later recognitions lasting up to 5 years. A college would need the Secretary of Education's approval before changing its primary accreditor, or the Secretary would not recognize its accreditation. The college's application must explain its reasons and include records such as recent accreditor reports and pending student complaints, and the public would get at least 30 days to comment. The Secretary must deny a switch if the college lost its accreditation or was placed on probation, a show cause order, or suspension in the past 24 months.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Adam B. Schiff Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors