Why College Approval Matters

College approval, or accreditation, is a big deal. It’s like a stamp of approval that says a college meets certain standards. Without it, students can’t get federal aid like grants or loans. Recently, things have changed. Six Southern states decided to create their own approval group. This move has stirred up debates about politics and education. The change started when the Trump administration made it easier for colleges to switch their approval groups. They also barred approval groups from using diversity rules. Critics say this is a political move that could weaken the value of college degrees. Supporters argue it’s about breaking free from old, bureaucratic systems. Florida and North Carolina passed laws forcing public colleges to switch approval groups. This led to the creation of a new group called the Commission for Public Higher Education. The goal is to focus on student success and measurable outcomes, not just bureaucracy. Dan Harrison, leading this new group, says accreditation is like the plumbing of higher education. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential. He believes public universities share more in common with each other than with private schools in their own states. This new group aims to be nationwide, not just regional. The new group is still in its early stages. It will take about five to seven years to be fully operational. Meanwhile, colleges will need to keep their old approval to avoid losing federal aid. The new group is also focusing on assembling review teams made up of public university leaders. Stephen Pruitt, president of the old approval group SACSCOC, acknowledges the need for change. He says the old system has its flaws, like slow turnaround times and too much paperwork. He believes competition is good and that the old system needs to adapt and improve. The big question is what this means for the future of college approval. Will it lead to better education, or will it just create more bureaucracy? Only time will tell.