Recognition of accrediting agency or association

Section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b) is amended— (1) in subsection (g)— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking Limitation on; (B) by striking Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the Secretary to establish any criteria that specifies, defines, or prescribes the standards that accrediting agencies or associations shall use to assess any institution's success with respect to student achievement.; and (C) by adding at the end the following: Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Secretary from establishing regulations regarding the criteria for accrediting agencies or associations that are required under this section, including criteria or standards with respect to student achievement, or from establishing differentiated recognition processes for accrediting agencies or associations. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the Secretary to establish any regulation that limits the academic freedom of an institution of higher education, such as any criterion that specifies, defines, or prescribes standards on curriculum, faculty, or instructional resources.; and (2) in subsection (o), by striking Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not promulgate any regulation with respect to the standards of an accreditation agency or association described in subsection (a)(5)..