The U.S. Department of Education extended its timeline for reviewing new accreditors, saying the change will allow more stakeholder input as policymakers debate accreditation’s role in innovation and competition. The delay comes amid a broader policy push that includes bipartisan reforms tying accountability to outcomes and calls for accreditors to play a stronger role in quality assurance. Inside Higher Ed coverage notes the extension reflects tensions between efforts to encourage new entrants and longstanding concerns about academic quality, grading standards and institutional oversight.