The U.S. Department of Education outlined a package of regulatory changes aimed at remaking how accreditors are recognized and supervised. A Federal Register notice and follow-up guidance propose easing the path for new accreditors while curbing reliance on diversity, equity and inclusion standards in accreditation reviews. Officials said the changes would expand competition in quality assurance and tighten federal oversight of accreditor practices. Critics warn the move could weaken long‑standing peer review protections and accelerate politicized reviews of institutional policies. The agency framed the changes as increasing options for institutions and reducing barriers for novel providers; higher‑education associations and several university leaders have signaled plans to mobilize comments and legal challenges if final rules limit academic standards.