ACTA in the NewsTrusteeship
Calling Foul on the Accreditors
In recent weeks the topic of accreditation—normally a dense and inscrutable process at best—has garnered a remarkable level of attention...
WASHINGTON, DC—Anne D. Neal, president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, has just been appointed to the newly-reconstituted National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. NACIQI makes recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Education regarding the fitness of higher education accrediting bodies, without whose seal of approval colleges and universities cannot receive federal funds.
“All of us at ACTA are proud that Anne Neal has been appointed to the new NACIQI,” said Robert T. Lewit, M.D., chairman of ACTA’s Board of Directors. “Though Anne did not seek this appointment, we are confident that she will continue to fight for higher education accountability, just as she did during a different Administration, and that her service will inure to the benefit of college students, parents, and taxpayers across the United States.”
Neal previously served on NACIQI from 2007 to 2008, when its composition was changed by the Higher Education Opportunity Act.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni is an independent non-profit dedicated to academic freedom, academic quality and accountability. Since its founding in 1995, ACTA has counseled boards, educated the public and published reports about such issues as good governance, historical literacy, core curricula, the free exchange of ideas and accreditation in higher education.
In recent weeks the topic of accreditation—normally a dense and inscrutable process at best—has garnered a remarkable level of attention...
Summary Higher education accreditation creates barriers to entry for innovative start-ups while being a poor gauge of program quality and student outcomes. What began as a voluntary system became a de facto requirement, with accreditors abusing their power. To harness the potential of new learning modes, policymakers should consider meaningful structural changes to this ossified […]
Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.
Discover MoreSign up to receive updates on the most pressing issues facing our college campuses.