Accreditation standards

Section 496(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)) is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking of student achievement and inserting for the effectiveness of accrediting agencies or associations; (2) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking the stated objective for which the courses or the programs are offered and inserting the objectives for which courses or programs of this type are offered; and (3) in paragraph (5)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the standards for accreditation of the agency or association assess the institution’s and inserting the standards for accreditation of the agency or association establish benchmarks for the measures and data definitions established by the Secretary (as described in subsection (r)) with respect to such standards and assess and make accreditation determinations based on the institution’s; (B) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) outcomes and success with respect to student achievement in relation to the institution’s mission, according to the list of measures and data definitions established by the Secretary, and data provided by the Secretary to accrediting agencies or associations;; (C) in subparagraph (I), by inserting and any actions taken against the institution by any State or the Federal Government, including ongoing investigations, lawsuits that have survived motions to dismiss, settlements, or any judgments against the institution in a State or Federal court relating to fraud, fiscal misconduct, or deceptive practices, after the agency or association; (D) by striking subparagraph (J) and inserting the following: (J) record of compliance with its program responsibilities under this title based on information the Secretary may provide to the agency or association; and; and (E) in the flush matter at the end, by striking subparagraphs (A), (H), and (J) and inserting subparagraphs (H) and (J).