Subcommittee to Discuss the Role of Accreditation in Quality Higher Education Programs

On Thursday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), will hold a hearing entitled, “Keeping College Within Reach: Discussing Program Quality Through Accreditation.” The hearing will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Accreditation plays an important role in promoting the academic quality of postsecondary education programs. Under the Higher Education Act, the federal government, states, and accrediting agencies (known jointly as the “triad”) work together to evaluate and determine which institutions are eligible to participate in federal student aid programs. The accreditation process aims to constantly improve the academic quality of institutions.

In the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Republicans championed provisions to make the accreditation process and its results more transparent. These efforts have provided students and families with more information to help evaluate colleges and universities. However, additional reforms to the accreditation process have been proposed and must be considered as part of the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

Thursday’s hearing will provide members an opportunity to explore a variety of proposals, including delinking accreditation from student aid programs and moving to more student outcome-focused metrics. To learn more about the hearing, visit http://edworkforce.house.gov/hearings.