The U.S. Department of Education released draft regulations aimed at restructuring how accreditors gain and maintain federal recognition, including an eased pathway for new accreditors and new requirements tied to student achievement and intellectual diversity. The draft also would direct accreditors to comply with federal and state laws, including restrictions tied to “preferential treatment based on protected characteristics,” and seeks to limit accreditor interference in institutional governance decisions that fall under boards and state authority. The department said the changes align with an earlier executive order criticizing DEI standards held by some accreditors. Negotiated rulemaking with representatives from students, colleges, and accreditors begins next week, setting up a near-term policy fight over whether accreditation will shift toward more bright-line accountability measures and whether intellectual diversity requirements become enforceable standards.