The Trump administration unveiled a sweeping draft proposal to change the rules that govern college and university accreditors, including new minimum standards for student achievement, explicit attention to viewpoint diversity, and an added cost-efficiency lens. The plan also aims to narrow accreditors’ role to advisory functions regarding governance decisions held by boards and state officials. The Education Department’s proposal, described in a nine-page summary of a 151-page draft, would reorganize parts of the accreditation framework that directly affects institutional access to Title IV federal student aid. An advisory committee will review the changes in two rounds of weeklong meetings starting April 13, followed by public comment. The Department also proposed making it easier for new accreditors to gain federal recognition, while directing agencies to ensure institutions comply with federal laws including prohibitions on preferential treatment based on protected characteristics. Higher-education leaders have long debated whether accreditors should adopt bright-line performance thresholds versus maintain holistic evaluation. The proposal is poised to intensify that fight, especially around accountability for program quality and student outcomes.