U.S. Department of Education Reaches Consensus on Historic New Accountability Framework - ED
Department of Education - Press Release
January 9, 2026See full news release: Source: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-reaches-consensus-historic-new-accountability-framework-and-concludes-higher-education-reform-rulemaking-sessionsThe U.S. Department of Education (the Department) has reached consensus on the third and final regulatory package to implement the historic changes made to higher education as part of President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act (the Act). This marks the third consecutive time the Department has reached consensus on regulatory changes to implement the Act under the leadership of U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Under Secretary Nicholas Kent.
Today, the Department concluded the final session of its Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) negotiated rulemaking committee, which focused on implementing a new accountability framework for all institutions of higher education.
Negotiators reached agreement on a historic accountability framework that, for the first time in decades, will hold all postsecondary institutions accountable for inadequate student outcomes—ending the long-standing practice of selective enforcement under the last two Democrat Administrations, based on tax status and politics rather than student outcomes.