In direct response to a lawsuit filed by The Century Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education has started to release documents regarding two higher education accrediting agencies with a history of regulatory noncompliance: the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and the American Bar Association (ABA).

As documents are received, The Century Foundation will make them available to the public here.

UPDATE: On March 1, after reviewing the documents released by the Department, TCF submitted public comment related to ACICS and ABA’s pending applications, which can be found below.


Tranche One (posted February 21):


Tranche Two (posted February 21):


Tranche Three (posted February 22):


Background on The Century Foundation v. DeVos:

On February 16, 2018, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York Paul A. Crotty issued a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Betsy DeVos—thought to be the first ruling of its kind against Sec. DeVos’ agency—blocking the agency from enforcing its deadline for public comment on information submitted by ACICS and the ABA. Review the original lawsuit filed on behalf of The Century Foundation (TCF) by The National Student Legal Defense Network here.

The Judge’s order states:

“[B]y ending the comment period before TCF and other groups have an opportunity to review the application, the Department may very well be acting arbitrarily and capriciously.” It continues: “Absent emergency relief, TCF will be effectively barred from meaningful public engagement and will suffer irreparable harm.”

The Century Foundation is continuing to pursue the release of documents necessary for students, taxpayers, and the public to adequately respond to the Department’s request, and a hearing is currently set for March 1 on this matter.

For more information contact [email protected] .

Last updated: March 2, 2018