Negotiated Rulemaking for 2018-2019
Accreditation and Innovation Negotiated Rulemaking
On July 31, 2018, the U.S. Education Department announced a new round of negotiated rulemaking on more than a dozen topics. The rulemaking panel—consisting largely
of accrediting agencies, college groups, financial aid administrators, and student representatives—reached consensus in April 2019 on a wide range of proposals. The regulatory packages impact federal rules governing college accreditation, state
approval of online colleges, definition of a credit hour, religious institutions, competency-based education, and TEACH grants, among other issues.
Final rules governing Distance Education and Innovation and TEACH Grants & Faith-Based Entities take effect July 1, 2021, but the department said institutions may voluntarily implement any or all provisions upon publication in the Federal Register.
Final rules governing Accreditation & State Authorization took effect July 1, 2020.