The Department of Education advanced a sweeping set of accreditation reforms that would shift accreditors’ focus toward measurable student outcomes and graduation-to-success metrics rather than procedural checklist compliance. The negotiated rulemaking effort also includes structural changes aimed at increasing competition among accreditors. Under the framework, accreditors would be required to disclose conflicts involving shared personnel, equipment, or infrastructure with affiliated trade organizations. The reforms also remove a two-year “activity” waiting period that currently delays new agencies from seeking federal recognition after they begin accreditation work. Student transfer and credit recognition provisions were also part of the negotiated package, reflecting continued scrutiny over how accreditation shapes transfer credit decisions and institutional eligibility for federal student aid.