STATEMENT: PDE Action Supports Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act

Accreditation is the process by which independent agencies assess universities on whether they provide a quality education for students. Universities must be accredited to be eligible for federal money—such as student loans and grants—making accreditation hugely important.  

It’s no secret that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices promote far-left ideology and discrimination in higher education. What is less known, however, is that accreditors play a significant role in the pervasiveness of DEI in our colleges and universities.  

Today, various accreditors require that woke courses are taught or that race is a primary factor in hiring. Schools that don’t comply with these requirements risk not being accredited, which means they also risk losing access to federal funds. 

Indiana Senator Jim Banks’ Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act would prevent accreditors from designating DEI practices of any kind as a requirement for accreditation. This bill eliminates an oft overlooked source of DEI ideologies in higher education. Its passage would be a key step in restoring quality and diversity of viewpoint in higher education.  

You can read the full text of the bill here and Senator Banks’ press release here.  

“Senator Banks’s much-needed legislation, the Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act, would formally codify the President’s April 23 Executive Order and amend the HEA of 1965 to tighten requirements for formal Department of Education recognition of accrediting agencies. His bill prevents accrediting agencies or associations from imposing requirements, establishing standards, conducting investigations, or making recommendations concerning the race, color, sex, or national origin composition of the student body, faculty, or staff of any given institution for which their approval is being sought. Accreditation has long been in need of reform, and non-governmental organizations have wielded outsized influence since 1965 in crafting higher education in their own likeness–whatever their particular ideological leanings may be. The Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act comes not a moment too soon, and is a necessary step in securing value-neutral criteria in assessment of institutional applicants–something that increases the value of higher education overall. Thanks to Senator Banks, America’s students are much closer to achieving high-caliber degrees.” – Sarah Parshall Perry, Legal Director of PDE Action