The Impact on Accreditation and Diversity Policies

Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders that could drastically alter the landscape of American education. Two of the most significant changes are the overhaul of college accreditation processes and the shift away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. These sweeping reforms have the potential to significantly impact access to over $100 billion in annual federal student loans and Pell Grants. Trump’s administration claims that the accreditation order is a vital step in combating what they perceive as ideological bias in higher education. The White House asserts that private accrediting agencies have failed to ensure quality at American colleges and universities, leading to a “broken” accreditation system that controls higher education funding.

• Only 64% of undergraduate students graduated within six years in 2020, highlighting a concerning picture of higher education outcomes.
• The returns on investment for bachelor’s and master’s degrees are even more dismal, with nearly 25% and over 40% of degrees yielding negative returns, respectively.

The administration’s scrutiny of accreditation bodies has sparked debate. The Council of Higher Education Accreditation warns that the order could “affect the value and independence of accreditation.” The American Association of University Professors sees this as an attempt to take educational decisions away from educators and reshape higher education to fit an authoritarian political agenda.

The New Accreditation Order

The executive orders include the power to suspend or terminate federal recognition of accreditors who violate federal civil rights law. The Department of Education must also make it easier for new accreditors to gain recognition and help institutions switch their accreditation providers.

• Both the American Bar Association and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education will undergo targeted investigations.
• Linda McMahon, the Education Secretary, now has the power to suspend or terminate federal recognition of accreditors who violate federal civil rights law.

McMahon blasts the current system, stating that it drives up costs, leads to higher tuition fees, gives unfair advantages to traditional four-year institutions, keeps new accreditors out, and steers universities toward ideological paths instead of core subjects.

The Shift Away From DEI Policies

The Trump administration has launched a broad campaign to eliminate DEI programs from American schools. The new directive promises to remove “discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion-based standards” that educational authorities allegedly imposed.

• The directive aims to ban “racially preferential discipline practices” in K-12 schools.
• School discipline policies would need to focus only on student behavior rather than DEI considerations.

Civil rights advocates have reacted with concern, with Judith Browne Dianis of the Advancement Project calling the executive orders “another move to dismantle civil rights protections.”

Key Players and Responses

• Will Scharf, the White House Staff Secretary, points to accreditors who prioritize “woke ideology” over merit and performance.
• Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, praised the changes, stating that “Trump’s order enables local school boards by encouraging real discipline.”
• Three federal judges, including two Trump appointees, blocked the administration from withholding funds from schools with diversity programs, finding the guidance unconstitutionally vague and potentially violating First Amendment rights.

Conclusion

The Trump administration’s education reforms have sparked a heated debate, with concerns raised about the impact on accreditation and DEI policies. As the reforms take effect, it remains to be seen how the American education system will evolve in response. One thing is certain, however: the future of American education is being shaped by the decisions made by the Trump administration. **Definitions**
* Accreditation: The process of evaluating and recognizing the quality of educational institutions. * DEI policies: Diversity, equity, and inclusion policies aimed at promoting diversity and creating a more inclusive learning environment. * Accrediting agencies: Organizations responsible for evaluating and recognizing the quality of educational institutions. * Federal recognition: The recognition of accrediting agencies by the federal government, allowing them to oversee and regulate educational institutions.

“Trump’s order enables local school boards by encouraging real discipline.” – Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty

Despite the controversy surrounding Trump’s education reforms, one thing is clear: the American education system is undergoing a significant transformation.