Online Education
Ed Dept issues final rules on accreditation and state authorization
Author: Ray Schroeder
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By Natalie Schwartz, Education Dive
The U.S. Department of Education on Thursday published its final rules for accreditation and state authorization for distance education, which it says will foster innovation and reduce the regulatory burden on colleges and accreditors. Critics of the rules, however, say they will reduce oversight on colleges and universities and potentially harm students. Most of the final regulations are identical to proposals released earlier this year, although the department changed language that observers say will lead to reduced state oversight of online institutions. The rules are expected to go into effect on July 1, 2020.