Thread by @TheToniFlores

At #NACIQI this morning, which has five new members, and where Diane Auer Jones is here this morning providing an update on new regulations going into effect in July of this year

Diane Auer Jones does a victory lap on breaking the artificial distinction between regional and national agencies, congratulating WASC for taking the first step, saying they are not the easy accreditor, they are the innovative one #NACIQI

DAJ says @usedgov will send out a letter to states alerting them that where their laws rely on the regional distinction, it no longer exists. Cannot compel states to change their laws but can encourage it #NACIQI

@usedgov Also sending out letter to states on state authorization for distance ed. States cannot layer on additional requirements if they are part of NC Sara or they can leave. Additional requirements defeat point of a reciprocity agreement #NACIQI

@usedgov New expectations on transfer of credit: if you don't accept a students transfer credits, you have to provide students an analysis of why they don't accept the credits and based on competency #NACIQI

@usedgov DAJ says regs confirm what we've always known: preaccreditation is the same as accredited. Note: @usedgov just forgave the loans of students at "preaccredited" Dream Center schools, because preaccreditation is not the same as accredited #NACIQI

@usedgov DAJ shuts down accreditor dashboards: "It is not appropriate to ask agencies new questions outside requirements. @usedgov did not provide accreditor dashboards or outcomes by accreditor data file. Tells #NACIQI they can continue talking about outcomes but cannot ask questions

@usedgov DAJ tells #NACIQI: This meeting is not about the latest twitter feed or to debate the merits of the newest news article. The latest headline is not in the documents we are reviewing for this meeting. There is a culture shift...

@usedgov Ralph Wolff mentions 2017 affirmative vote by #NACIQI to move accreditor dashboard pilot into the federal register, making it official. How do we square the circle to ensure we are protecting students with outcomes as part of that?

@usedgov Diane says #NACIQI can look at outcomes as part of subcommittee, and even ask questions, but as far as the "pilot" (which is not a pilot), it can make a recommendation to the Secretary. Ultimately the Secretary has the final decision

@usedgov Regs go into effect in July but review is a process. Agencies that are up for recognition will start process now. The earliest #NACIQI will see an agency under the new regs will be 2021. Sounds like other agencies will continue at usual schedule but start 2 yrs in advance

@usedgov #NACIQI continues with questions on accreditor dashboards. Diane says accreditors felt pressure to adopt bright line standards. It's not up to NACIQI to set standards, its the institution and agency standards

@usedgov Ralph Wolff asks Diane about monitoring reports and whether #NACIQI will see copies. Diane says this is for gray areas where there isn't clear compliance issue and is just a small thing. Note @usedgov is using a monitoring report to evaluate ACICS on finances and other issues.

@usedgov Diane says monitoring reports will be made public. It will not require sign off from #NACIQI but if NACIQI sees something concerning, it can re-evaluate. Monitoring reports will be posted on the Department's website, unclear where yet. Transparency matters here