Accreditation reviews

Section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b), as amended by section 5, is further amended by adding at the end the following: (s) Accreditation reviews (1) Standard reviews In order to be recognized by the Secretary as a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training offered by an institution of higher education seeking to participate in the programs authorized under this title or a program seeking to participate in another Federal program requiring approval, an accrediting agency or association shall— (A) require that each institution of higher education or program subject to its jurisdiction undergo a standard accreditation review at regular intervals as determined by the agency or association, and before the agency or association first provides accreditation to such institution or program; and (B) conduct the standard accreditation review and make accreditation determinations based on the standards described in subsection (a)(5). (2) Enhanced accreditation reviews (A) In general In order to be recognized by the Secretary as a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training offered by an institution of higher education seeking to participate in the programs authorized under this title or for the purpose of participation in other programs administered by the Department of Education or other Federal agencies requiring approval, an accrediting agency or association shall carry out an enhanced accreditation review of an institution of higher education or program subject to its jurisdiction— (i) immediately after the agency or association learns— (I) that the institution is the subject of an investigation, settlement, or adverse judgment by a Federal authority (other than the Department) or a State for a violation relating to fraud, fiscal misconduct, or deceptive practices at the institution; or (II) of any other situation or factor required by the Secretary through regulations promulgated under this section that relate to the student achievement measures described in subsection (r); (ii) if the agency or association has reason to believe that the institution is failing to meet its program responsibilities under this title or is engaged in fraud, fiscal misconduct, or deceptive practices at the institution; or (iii) at any other time the agency or association determines necessary, as outlined in the agency or association's standards. (B) Content of an enhanced accreditation review For each enhanced accreditation review required under subparagraph (A)— (i) the accrediting agency or association may consider any of the factors that it considers during a standard accreditation review; (ii) the accrediting agency or association shall— (I) investigate the issue that triggered the enhanced accreditation review; and (II) determine if the accreditation of the institution or program should be withdrawn or suspended, or if the institution or program should be placed on a continuous improvement plan, or if any other action should be taken; and (iii) the institution or program shall be required to make additional disclosures, related to the determination of the enhanced accreditation review, to the students attending the institution and to the public, such as written notification when the institution or program receives an accredited with risk designation and transfer options available for the student to continue their education elsewhere from the institution’s teach-out plan. (C) Review reporting requirements (i) In general An accrediting agency or association that conducts an enhanced accreditation review under this paragraph shall, not later than 30 days after the conclusion of the review, make available to the public on the agency or association’s website and submit to the Secretary, the appropriate State licensing or authorizing agency, and the appropriate State Attorney General— (I) when the agency or association initiates the enhanced accreditation review and the reason for conducting the enhanced accreditation review; (II) at the conclusion of the enhanced accreditation review, the information obtained by the agency or association as part of the enhanced accreditation review, including the institution or program’s performance on the student achievement measures, to the extent required by the Secretary through regulations promulgated under this section; and (III) at the conclusion of the enhanced accreditation review, the outcome of the enhanced accreditation review and an explanation of the reasons for any actions taken as a result of the enhanced accreditation review. (ii) Report The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the authorizing committees, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that summarizes all reports of enhanced accreditation reviews received under this paragraph..