The U.S. Department of Education announced plans to overhaul federal accreditation regulations, proposing lower barriers for new accreditors and limits on diversity, equity and inclusion criteria. Education officials filed a Federal Register notice outlining changes that would speed recognition for alternate accreditors and place new compliance requirements on existing agencies. The department framed the move as increasing institutional choice and accountability; accreditors and university associations warn the proposal could destabilize long-standing quality controls and invite legal challenges. The Education Department’s announcement follows months of public signals that the agency will reshape oversight across higher education. Stakeholders including regional accreditors, university research offices, and policy advocacy groups are preparing formal comments and litigation strategies.