Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that revises the requirements for an accrediting agency to be recognized by the Department of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education being offered at an institution of higher education (IHE).

Highlights:

• Amends the requirements for an accrediting agency to be recognized by the Department of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education being offered at an institution of higher education (IHE) (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that an accrediting agency must confirm that its standards do not require, encourage, or coerce an IHE to (Sec. 2):

• Support, oppose, or commit to supporting or opposing specific partisan, political, or ideological viewpoints or beliefs or specific viewpoints or beliefs on social, cultural, or political issues; or 

• Support or commit to supporting the disparate treatment of any individual or group based on any protected class under federal civil rights law.

• Requires that an accrediting agency confirm that its standards do not prohibit an IHE from having a religious mission and that the accrediting agency may not prohibit the IHE from requiring an applicant, student, employee, or independent contractor to provide a statement of faith or adhere to a code of conduct (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that an IHE shall be eligible to participate in federal student aid programs if the IHE complies with the standards of the accrediting agency that assesses the IHE under the statute (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text