ELIZABETH WARREN UNITED STATES SENATE MASSACHUSETTS WASHINGTON, DC 20510, 2105 ES: 2400 JFK FEDERAL BUILDING BANKING, TEREEVETSOUIEBJEEZLZEET HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS P: 617 56573170 ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES 1500 MAIN STREET SUITE 406 SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING SPRINGFIELD, MA 01103 788~2690 June 9, 2016 The Honorable John King Secretary of Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW. Washington, DC 20202 The Honorable Ted Mitchell Under Secretary of Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW. Washington, DC 20202 Dear Secretary King and Under Secretary Mitchell: On June 22nd, the Department of Education?s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (N ACIQI) will consider applications for renewal of recognition from various accrediting agencies, including the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools? In advance of the June NACIQI meeting, my staff has prepared the attached report, which examines performance as an accreditor and broader issues of the Department?s oversight of accreditors. As gatekeepers to federal funding, accrediting agencies play a crucial role in promoting student achievement and institutional quality at institutions of higher education. The ?ndings in the attached report, however, detail an appalling record of failure on the part of ACICS to serve as an effective guarantor of institutional quality and gatekeeper for billions of dollars in federal student aid funding. These failings stretch beyond decision to continue accrediting campuses of the fraudulent Corinthian Colleges until the for-pro?t?s ultimate collapse; analyses have found that ACICS also accredited an additional sixteen institutions that have faced investigation by state or federal agencies. The attached report also details own troubling track record of weak oversight when it comes to holding accrediting agencies accountable for their failures and ensuring that an agency?s stamp of approval has real value for students. Indeed, it appears that NACIQI has 1 Department of Education, National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity Meeting, Federal Register 81: 53 (March 18, 2016) (online at 1 6-03- I 8/pdf/20 I p. 14846-14849. wielded a rubber stamp for problematic accreditors, which have then applied their own rubber stamps for dozens of problematic colleges to access billions in federal aid dollars. Meanwhile, students and taxpayers have paid the price. I know the Department is carefully considering the public comments it received regarding petition for renewal and has pledged to improve its oversight of accreditors. The Department?s oversight of accreditation agencies must also involve detailed planning for instances when an accreditor?s recognition is denied. Current law provides for a period of time when colleges certi?ed by a now?defunct accreditor may maintain accreditation while seeking a new agency, but the Department should consider providing additional information. to colleges and taking other steps to facilitate a transition between accrediting agencies. The absence of such a plan limits the Department?s viable options when an accrediting agency?s behavior warrants aggressive action to protect students and to hold failing accreditors accountable. Indeed, it?s the very de?nition of ?Too Big to Fail?. As the Department and NACIQI approach this month?s hearing, I urge the Department to carefully consider the ?ndings highlighted in the attached report?many of which have been raised in comments and reports from concerned stakeholders?and to take strong, aggressive action to hold ACICS accountable for its dismal record of failure. Sincerely, Elizab Warren Unite States Senator