Dive Brief:

• Congressman Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has proposed a new model for accrediting higher education institutions.
• The “Higher Education Reform and Opportunity” Act was first introduced last year by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), making DeSantis' bill its counterpart in the House.
• The bill is not meant to make the current accrediting bodies obsolete, but would give states a new way to recognize alternative institutions and, in turn, make these schools eligible for federally-funded financial aid.

Dive Insight:

The implications of an alternative accreditation system are significant. With accreditation in the hands of the Department of Education, the federal government makes the rules about the quality level of various higher education programs. DeSantis expects his legislation to create the opportunity for greater innovation and flexibility across the industry. He envisions a system in which alternative programs could provide new, affordable opportunities for students who don’t want or need traditional bachelor’s degrees but still would benefit from financial aid. The accreditation process is already fairly complicated with a mix of national and regional bodies working with approval by the Department of Education. This proposal could ultimately muddy the waters even further and make higher education decisions harder for students.