11.21.18

Scott Statement on Decision to Recognize ACICS

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Education restored federal recognition to the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a for-profit accreditor with a record of accrediting poor performing schools.

“College accreditors have a critical role in protecting students and taxpayers from low-quality schools. The Education Department’s decision to restore ACICS’ recognition disregards ACICS’ failure to comply with federal accreditation standards. The Department’s own analysis acknowledges that ACICS is not meeting two important recognition criteria: competency and conflict of interest.

“History demonstrates that when predatory institutions are given the legitimacy of accreditation – such as the now-defunct ITT Technical Institute and Corinthian Colleges – they use it to collect billions of dollars in federal student aid while denying students the education they deserve. This decision will expose hardworking people across the country, including many servicemembers and veterans, to schools that routinely leave students with crippling debt, non-transferrable credits, and no degree, while leaving taxpayers to foot the bill.”

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