Accrediting societies and higher education: the impact of federal regulation, 1944-2008

Abstract

The United States government has consistently initiated increased access to higher education for all citizens. From the GI Bill of 1944 through the recent debates surrounding the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, federal legislation has regulated institutions awarding advanced degrees and certifications. Mandates have occurred in every component of higher education from admissions, finances, and services to the content of higher education. The most recent debates not only extend these efforts, but threaten the regional accreditation process that has been in place for almost one hundred years. The current national discussion concerning issues related to higher education has been focused on the ideals of improving student access, student success, student learning, and the federal government's fundamental concerns with student loan default rates. Ultimately, interference with education may not only cripple the success of the American higher education system but also artificially inhibit its ability to compete in an increasingly competitive global market.