Calls for a review of the accreditation process for higher education institutions are beginning to ring across the capital. The latest information on the matter comes from the Heritage Foundation, which recently released a short document urging action that, if implemented, would crush the Certified Cabal out of the US Department of Education.

Heritage Paper — Written by Dr. Lindsay Burke, Director of the Heritage Center for Educational Policy, Adam Kiesel, Visiting Scholar at the Center, and a team of two academics from the US Trustees and Alumni Council, Armand Alacbay and Kyle Beltramini – on the subject We repeat many of the observations we made in our recent essays. They, too, believe that the process by which higher education institutions are accredited and the benefits derived from their status are corrupted by educational octopuses. (Related: Peter Roffe: Only Parents Can Solve America’s Education Crisis)

To put it simply, US universities are “accredited” by institutions designated by the US Department of Education. This was originally a voluntary process, designed to ensure that students (and their parents) get their money’s worth. After World War II, taxes began flowing into universities through the GI bill, so government involvement increased the need for third-party verification of the school’s worth.

As we have written, in recent years we have found that schools have fallen into vice. They are driven down the path of “diversity, equity and inclusion” rather than educational excellence.

The goal of accreditation today is racial diversity and ideological unity. Schools that do not comply will have their accreditation threatened. The core of Heritage’s criticism, the paper said, is that accreditation is now “an expensive and cumbersome process for institutions” that “does little to ensure that the institutions achieve the outcomes they seek to achieve.” It says that it is in At the same time, accreditation often mandates “awakened” policies and practices within universities that may be opposed on the grounds that they stifle the free exchange of ideas that is fundamental to their educational mission. ”

Wisely, Heritage recommends:

• Breaking the monopoly enjoyed by regional accreditation bodies.
• Prevent accreditation bodies from using their gatekeeping powers to impose inappropriate regulations on their bodies.
• Create an alternate path to qualify for student loans.

This last recommendation suggests that competence does not automatically come from time spent in the classroom, and that funders and admissions officers at all levels should look beyond seat time when evaluating candidates. It comes from a growing awareness of the need. On the liberal side, this perception often makes standardized tests obsolete in favor of “live experience.” On the conservative side, it cuts back, replacing tests such as diploma exams and law school aptitude tests with paper credentials from diverse colleges.

In both cases, a key component of admission is careful evaluation of students on a case-by-case basis, which was common in the pre-accreditation era. (Related: NEETU ARNOLD: Do Universities Use Application Essays for Racism?)

Heritage proposes other recommendations for federal action and a similar list for states. All that remains is for lawmakers to venture into the thorns and thorn forests that surround higher education and brandish axes.

Expect the analytics provided by Heritage to inspire immediate and vigorous action. The daily reports on the state of education in this country make it clear that time is running out.

Peter Roff is a writer, commentator, and former columnist for US News & World Report, and has worked for several public policy groups in Washington, DC. Gordon Jones co-founded Mount Liberty College in Utah, where he teaches the evolution of civilization.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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