Florida Governor Unveils New Multi-State Accreditation System

"Public systems joining the State University System of Florida as partners are the University System of Georgia, University of North Carolina system, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee system and the Texas A&M University system. "

The Trump administration wants to make Federal recognition efficient (quicker).

"DeSantis emphasized the importance of moving quickly; he said he wanted to see the new accreditor approved during the Trump administration out of concern that the next president could potentially slow or undermine efforts to launch the new accrediting body."

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/accreditation/2025/06/25/desantis-announces-launch-new-accreditor


https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3455654/desantis-alternative-university-accreditation/

https://www.highereducationinquirer.org/2025/06/desantis-led-coalition-launches-new.html?m=1

 

One of the problems will be its perception as a conservative accreditor. For some it will be an asset (seen as rigorous and fact driven) and others will see it as indoctrination (perhaps in much the same way they see so called liberal schools and accreditors). So, the University of California System probably won't join. On the other hand, you could see liberal systems do the same thing and then both accreditation entities agree to mutual recognition to make the system work. Even potentially driving competition in terms of ratings, scores, etc.

I wonder if the Regionals are a little nervous as the accreditation system transforms. We are in a period of transition. I think Rich mentioned potential concern for the usefulness of CHEA as this pans out.

 

I'm far from being an expert on accreditation.
Is the new agency going to be self accrediting, like University self accreditation?

 

A huge part of accreditation is recognition of accredited schools and the degrees they issue. I'm not seeing how this serves to advance that purpose. I just see confusion.

 

There seem to be a number of unanswered questions in terms of how this will work. I assume if they get US Department of Education approval for the accrediting agency the degrees will at least be recognized as accredited degrees. I imagine they intend to rely on the credibility of the University systems they represent which are certainly credible.

But I do think in terms of confusion that the accreditation system (assuming this moves ahead) will have to iron all of this out. I can't see someone denying recognition to these University systems because of the nature of those schools. I suppose this entity could become simply the equivalent of another Regional like accreditor. An alternative for state systems where the regional accreditors are considered too focused on so-called woke issues and less on academics.

I don't think any of us obviously have any answers but it is quite interesting.

 

Wonder if all of those schools have rejected DEI or if rejection of DEI is the litmus test to be included in that group?

 

If that serves as the sole reason for an entirely separate system of accreditation, what's to stop dozens of other accrediting bodies from popping up to serve other interest and political groups of any and all persuasions?

 

*scribbling plans to launch a new accrediting agency when the party in power changes, the World Organization for Knowledge Education accrediting agency.*

 

Yes, but....

The Right is pushing to get the federal government OUT of higher education. And, historically, they were. Their only footprint was to recognize accrediting agencies for the purposes of doling out financial aid. And the Department's list tracked CHEA's pretty closely. Otherwise, it was CHEA that controlled things.

If the federal government wants to take on that role completely, fine. Then this new accreditation ring would be just like the others. But we seem to be in a state of flux right now, which will almost certainly see things falling through the cracks.

 

I’d be surprised if DeSantis is really interested in accreditation. I think he might just be playing anti woke politics.

 

Let's cut to the chase. The goal of this initiative is to get these public universities a permission to not reach some of the SACS standards. Which ones? Why?