Trump Is Trying to Reshape College Accreditation

The president signed a series of orders he said would improve America’s education system — including by changing how colleges and universities are accredited.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order

Alex Brandon/AP

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a series of executive orders on education, escalating his efforts to wield influence over America’s campuses.

One order is aimed at reshaping the current system of college accreditation. Will Scharf, the White House staff secretary, claimed “third-party accreditors” have relied on “woke ideology,” and said the administration would set up “new accreditation pathways.” Details were not immediately apparent, but Scharf said the Department of Education would seek “to hopefully make it much better.”

Changes to the accreditation system could have major repercussions for colleges and universities, which rely on accreditation for Pell grants, student loans and most other state and federal funds.