Southern States Form New Accreditation Body to Challenge ‘Woke’ Cartels
Southern governors, including Florida’s Ron DeSantis, announced the formation of a new higher education accrediting body to challenge existing accreditors, which they accuse of enforcing ideological mandates such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements. The commission, comprising six states, aims to provide an alternative accreditation model focused on academic excellence and student outcomes.
Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee collaborated to establish the Commission for Public Higher Education, a consortium of six public universities. The new body seeks to upend the monopoly of existing accreditation entities, which critics argue have prioritized ideological conformity over academic standards. DeSantis, during a press conference at Florida Atlantic University, emphasized that the current accreditation process has been dominated by a narrow set of ideological mandates that do not align with state priorities. He argued that these accreditors have compelled universities to adopt DEI initiatives, even when such programs contradict state laws and policies. This has prompted the formation of a new accreditation system that places greater emphasis on academic rigor, student achievement, and institutional efficiency.
DeSantis also highlighted the importance of obtaining approval from the Trump administration’s Department of Education. He noted that the current administration’s approach to accreditation reform is distinct from the previous administration’s, which he claimed did not support such significant overhauls. The executive order issued by President Trump in April aimed to reform the accreditation process, targeting entities that had ‘abused their enormous authority’ and compelling institutions to focus on student outcomes rather than ideological priorities. DeSantis stated that the new accreditation body would be an essential part of this reform effort and would likely gain traction among other conservative states in the South. He predicted that as more Southern states adopt similar policies, the new accreditation model could become the preferred framework for universities seeking federal funding and institutional validation.
The formation of the Commission for Public Higher Education represents a broader movement among conservative states to challenge what they perceive as regulatory overreach. This new body will be a direct competitor to the existing accreditation systems, which have been criticized for their ideological alignment with progressive values. By establishing an alternative to these systems, the Southern states aim to ensure that higher education remains focused on academic excellence and student success while resisting what they view as politically driven mandates. DeSantis’ comments underscore the growing tension between state-level governance and federal regulatory bodies, particularly in the realm of higher education. As the commission moves forward, it will be essential to monitor its impact on the accreditation landscape and its potential influence on the broader educational sector.