‘We will hold institutions accountable,’ top US education official vows
Natalie Schwartz
February 27, 2026
At the American Council on Education’s annual conference, Under Secretary Nicholas Kent promised changes to accreditation and other policies.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent issued a stark warning to a room full of college leaders Friday during the American Council on Education’s annual conference.
“Too often, institutions have been eager to accept billions of dollars in federal funds while resisting any meaningful accountability for results,” Kent said. “Let me be clear, those days are over.”
Kent outlined President Donald Trump’s higher education policy priorities, including an overhaul of the accreditation system, more civil rights investigations against colleges, and continued efforts to stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
