"The Department will no longer categorize institutional agencies as regional or national but will instead refer to all of the agencies it recognizes as “nationally recognized” accrediting agencies, which more closely aligns with the Higher Education Act." https://www.powerslaw.com/department-of-educations-accreditation-rule-seeks-to-eliminate-distinction-between-regional-and-national-accrediting-agencies/ "Because the Department holds all accrediting agencies to the same standards, distinctions between regional and national accrediting agencies are unfounded. Moreover, we have determined that most regional accreditors operate well outside of their historic geographic borders, primarily through the accreditation of branch campuses and additional locations. As a result, our new regulations have removed geography from an accrediting agency’s scope. Instead of distinguishing between regional and national accrediting agencies, the Department will distinguish only between institutional and programmatic accrediting agencies.” https://www.bgu.edu/2020/04/14/the-us-department-of-education-ends-the-distinction-between-regional-and-national-accreditation/
"However, agencies will not be prohibited from identifying themselves as regional or national accreditors as they see fit." This is the most important part. I don't think anyone has been concerned about the law related to this for a very long time and knows that Dept. of Education recognizes both already.
Do the regional accreditors raid each other's territory? I teach k12 in Michigan and DeVos and her family were instrumental in the establishment of k12 schools of choice. Basically, students and families can choose from all of the public school districts within an area/ISD/region and the per pupil funding goes with them to the new school. This means that I pass buses from five or six different school districts on my way into work because all of the districts are raiding each others territories. It is possible for a family to stand outside in the morning and see four buses from different districts pass in front of the house. This does make each individual district more competitive. We all try to encourage kids from other districts to choose us. However, the reasons why families choose school districts is frequently maddening. We have had experts tell us to make sure that the landscaping out front is perfect because families make drive-by visits. Also, very specific odd programs sometimes make a big difference and get funded rather than more general programs that positively impact everyone. Of course, well-funded sports programs and flashy facilities draw people. Do regional accreditors function in this way?
Is that really maddening? Curb appeal may seem superficial, but it's a quick way to determine whether those who run a school have a sense of pride in their institution, not to mention it's a sign that the institution has the resources available to do a good job educating one's child. As a parent it wouldn't exactly be my go-to metric, but I can understand why it might be part of some people's initial thoughts. Not yet. But I've read that in the wake of this decision, NWCCU is the first to plan to accept applications from schools headquartered outside its traditional region (sorry, I can't find the reference right now). But RAs have been accrediting institutions with branch campuses in other regions for decades, so either way it's not like those particular lines on the map are magical.
