The U.S. Department of Education is beginning negotiated rulemaking sessions on accreditation Monday under its Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) committee, setting up major compliance changes for colleges and accreditors. The discussions come after an executive order aimed at reshaping student-achievement pathways, including easing entry for new accreditors and removing DEI-related accreditation requirements. Draft proposals highlighted in the process would require institutions to presume more transferability of credits toward general-education requirements, with potential implications for degree planning and affordability. The framework also proposes minimum standards for student achievement tied to return-on-investment measures. Separately, the drafts would push accreditors to monitor compliance with civil rights laws, including Title IX—expanding what accreditors would be expected to assess beyond traditional quality reviews. The negotiated sessions run April 13–17 and May 18–22, with final rules due by November 1, 2026, and an effective date of July 1, 2027.