A Department of Education panel approved a new earnings test designed to hold programs—especially certificate offerings—accountable for graduate outcomes, the agency reported. That vote comes as the White House is distributing competitive grants aimed at encouraging institutions to change accreditors, a move critics say could upend long-standing oversight arrangements. The earnings test alters how federal protections attach to short-term credentials; the grant program has already funded organizations, including some without prior accreditation experience, to shepherd colleges through accreditors swaps. Colleges, regional accreditors and student-protection advocates are assessing operational, compliance and financial consequences as institutions weigh whether to pursue new accreditors to access federal money.