Florida University System Board Set to Vote on New Accrediting Agency: What It Means for Students and Schools

The State University System of Florida is moving forward with a new accrediting body, the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE). This initiative aims to reshape how colleges are accredited, focusing on student outcomes rather than existing diversity and equity standards.

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis introduced this idea in June 2023. His concerns about current accreditation bodies led to a plan for something fresh and focused on results. The state Legislature has allocated $4 million to start this project, and other Southern public university systems are expected to contribute similar amounts.

CPHE plans to start accrediting six colleges by mid-2026, with hopes of being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education by 2028. For accreditation to help colleges gain federal financial aid, they must first be recognized by the Education Department. This typically takes two years after an application is submitted.

Colleges can keep their existing accreditations while CPHE seeks this recognition. Once approved, they’ll have the option to switch to CPHE as their main accreditor.

The founding members of CPHE include several large university systems, such as the University System of Georgia and the University of Tennessee System. Each system will have a representative on CPHE’s board, which will decide accreditation standards.

In light of recent changes in federal policy, colleges can now switch accrediting agencies more easily. For instance, a regulation change during President Donald Trump’s term dropped regional limitations on accreditors, allowing them to serve colleges across the nation. A more recent change from the Education Department also aims to simplify the switching process, which experts have criticized as overly rushed.

College officials express concerns that these expedited procedures might overlook the thorough evaluations needed for proper accreditation. Some states, including Florida and North Carolina, have mandated public colleges to rotate their accreditors every few years, largely stemming from disputes with their existing bodies.

As this new initiative unfolds, it’s essential to stay informed about its impacts on higher education. The landscape of college accreditation is at a pivotal juncture, highlighting ongoing debates about educational quality and equity. For more information, you can visit the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation page.

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