The Education Department’s top higher education official sent formal warnings to two accreditors, directing them to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion standards the department says could contravene civil‑rights law. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent told Middle States and the physical‑therapy accreditor to rescind or risk monitoring and potential loss of recognition. At the same time, leading accreditation voices and higher‑ed experts published pieces cautioning that overhauling accreditation is not a silver‑bullet solution for higher education’s deeper financial and demographic problems. They urged targeted reforms — more transparency and less administrative burden — while preserving independent quality assurance mechanisms.