Dive Brief:
- The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, the body that regulates California’s community colleges, has 12 months to get into compliance on every federal standard or lose recognition from the U.S. Department of Education.
- The San Francisco Examiner reports Acting Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. upheld a decision from January 2014 that found the ACCJC out of compliance, threatening its ability to accredit California’s 113 community colleges.
- While the ACCJC was hoping King would overturn the ruling, it has indicated a commitment to addressing the identified issues within the 12-month timeframe.
Dive Insight:
The ACCJC is not a beloved accreditor in California. After it tried to strip accreditation from the City College of San Francisco it created a number of enemies and fomented distrust throughout the system. Just last month the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity voted to limit the ACCJC’s ability to accredit four-year degree programs at its member institutions. The committee recommended King only give the accreditor six months to get back into compliance but he will allow a more generous timeframe.
California’s higher education leaders are exploring alternative accreditation options. A transition would be time-consuming and potentially costly for the state’s community colleges, but given the rancor in the state, it could be the best option.