Notice2026-03656
National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity; Notice of Meeting
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 24, 2026
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
This notice sets forth the agenda, time, and instructions to access or participate in the March 24 & 25, 2026, meeting of NACIQI, and provides information to members of the public regarding the meeting, including requesting to make written or oral comments. Committee members will meet in-person. Agency representatives have the option to meet in-person or virtually, and public attendees will participate virtually. The notice of this meeting is required under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 10 (commonly known as the Federal Advisory Committee Act) and Section 114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8851-8853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03656]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and
Integrity; Notice of Meeting
AGENCY: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and
Integrity (NACIQI or Committee), Office of Postsecondary Education,
U.S. Department of Education.
ACTION: Announcement of an open meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the agenda, time, and instructions to
access or participate in the March 24 & 25, 2026, meeting of NACIQI,
and provides information to members of the public regarding the
meeting, including requesting to make written or oral comments.
Committee members will meet in-person. Agency representatives have the
option to meet in-person or virtually, and public attendees will
participate virtually. The notice of this meeting is required under 5
U.S.C. Chapter 10 (commonly known as the Federal Advisory Committee
Act) and Section 114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of
1965, as amended.
DATES: The NACIQI meeting will be held on March 24 & 25, 2026, from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Barnard Auditorium, Washington, DC 20202 [Only NACIQI members,
accrediting agency representatives, and Department of Education staff
will participate in the meeting at this address].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Alan Smith, Executive Director/
Designated Federal Official (DFO), NACIQI, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202, telephone:
(202) 453-7757, or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0542606a7762602b4469646b2b56686c716d4560612b626a73"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cb8caea4b9acaee58aa7aaa5e598a6a2bfa38baeafe5aca4bd">[email protected]</span></a>.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Statutory Authority and Function: NACIQI is established under
Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c). NACIQI advises the Secretary
of Education with respect to:
<bullet> The establishment and enforcement of the standards of
accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2, part H, Title IV
of the HEA, as amended;
<bullet> The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or
associations;
<bullet> The preparation and publication of the list of nationally
recognized accrediting agencies and associations;
<bullet> The eligibility and certification process for institutions
of higher education under Title IV of the HEA, together with
recommendations for improvement in such process;
<bullet> The relationship between (1) accreditation of institutions
of higher education and the certification and eligibility of such
institutions, and (2) State licensing responsibilities with respect to
such institutions; and
<bullet> Any other advisory function relating to accreditation and
institutional eligibility that the Secretary of Education may prescribe
by regulation.
Meeting Agenda
The purpose of the meeting is to elect a committee vice chairperson
and conduct a review of applications for renewal of recognition
submitted by six accrediting agencies and compliance reports submitted
by four accrediting agencies.
Election of a Committee Vice Chairperson
The Chairperson will facilitate the election of a vice chairperson
to serve up to three years.
Applications for Renewal of Recognition
1. American Board of Funeral Service Education. Scope of
Recognition: The accreditation of institutions and programs awarding
diplomas, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees in funeral service
or mortuary science, including the accreditation of distance learning
courses and programs offered by these programs and institutions.
Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the United
States.
2. Association of Institutions of Jewish Studies. Scope of
Recognition: The accreditation of postsecondary institutions of Jewish
Studies offering educational programs leading to a certificate,
associate degree, baccalaureate degree or their equivalent credential,
all with at least 30% credit content in Jewish Studies or Classical
Torah Studies. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout
the United States.
3. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Scope of
Recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (Accreditation
Candidate) of education programs in audiology and speech-language
pathology leading to the first professional or clinical degree at the
master's or doctoral level, and the accreditation of these programs
offered via distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting
Activities: Throughout the United States.
4. Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Scope of Recognition:
The accreditation and preaccreditation of graduate-level, four-year
naturopathic medical education programs leading to the Doctor of
Naturopathic Medicine (NMN) or Doctor of Naturopathy (ND), including
those offered by distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting
Activities: Throughout the United States.
5. Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Scope of
Recognition: The accreditation of Montessori teacher education
institutions and certificate programs including those offered via
distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities:
Throughout the United States.
6. National League for Nursing, Commission for Nurse Education
Accreditation. Scope of Recognition: The preaccreditation and
accreditation of nursing education programs, which offer a certificate,
diploma, or degree at the practical/vocational, diploma, associate,
baccalaureate, master's, and/or doctoral level, including those offered
via distance education. This recognition extends to the Appeals Panel.
Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the United
States. Requested Scope of Recognition: The preaccreditation and
accreditation of nursing education programs, which offer a certificate,
diploma, or degree at the practical/vocational, diploma, associate,
baccalaureate, master's, post-graduate, and/or doctoral level,
including those offered via distance education. This recognition
extends to the Appeals Panel. Geographic Area of Accrediting
Activities: Throughout the United States.
Compliance Reports
1. Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools. Scope
of Recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation
(``Correspondent'' and ``Candidate'') of advanced rabbinical and
Talmudic schools to include Associate, Baccalaureate, Master's,
Doctorate, and First Rabbinic and First Talmudic degree programs.
Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the United
States. The Compliance report includes findings of noncompliance with
the criteria in 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 602
identified in the November 3, 2023, letter from the senior Department
official following the July 15,2023, NACIQI meeting, available at:
<a href="https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents">https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents</a>.
2. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for
Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Scope of Recognition: The
accreditation and preaccreditation of Didactic and Coordinated Programs
in Nutrition and Dietetics at both the undergraduate and graduate
level, postbaccalaureate Nutrition and Dietetics Internships, and
Nutrition and Dietetics Technician Programs at the associate degree
level and for its accreditation of such programs offered via distance
education. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the
United States. The compliance report includes findings of noncompliance
with the criteria in 34 CFR part 602 identified in the November 3,
2023, letter from the senior Department official following the July 15,
2023, NACIQI meeting, available at <a href="https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents">https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents</a>.
3. National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on
Accreditation. Scope of Recognition: The accreditation of freestanding
institutions and units offering art/design and art/design-related
programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those
offered via distance education. Geographic Area of Accrediting
Activities: Throughout the United States. The compliance report
includes findings of noncompliance with the criteria in 34 CFR part 602
identified in the November 3, 2023, letter from the senior Department
official following the July 15, 2023, NACIQI meeting, available at
<a href="https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents">https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents</a>.
4. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Scope of
Recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidacy
status'') of institutions, including the accreditation of programs
offered via correspondence education and distance education within
these institutions. This recognition also extends to the Executive
Committee. Geographic Area of Accrediting Activities: Throughout the
United States. The compliance report includes findings of noncompliance
with the
[[Page 8853]]
criteria in 34 CFR part 602 identified in the November 3, 2023, letter
from the senior Department official following the July 15, 2023, NACIQI
meeting, available at <a href="https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents">https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents</a>.
To ensure sufficient time for all agency reviews, including NACIQI
questions and discussion, the Department requests that the agencies
limit their opening statements to 10 minutes (total for one or more
statements), and that the agencies avoid extended discussions about
agency representatives and their backgrounds. Following the brief
opening statement, the agency's presentation should focus on the
regulatory criteria, and in particular, responses to areas where
Department staff has recommended a finding of noncompliance or
substantial compliance, or where other concerns have been raised that
the agency would like to address. However, the agency should expect
that questions from NACIQI members may focus on other areas.
Instructions for Accessing the Meeting Registration
You may register for the meeting on your computer using the link
below. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email
containing personalized participation links for the meeting no later
than 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 24, 2026.
Registration Link
<a href="https://cvent.me/Ka4grr">https://cvent.me/Ka4grr</a>.
Public Comment
Submission of requests to make an oral comment regarding a specific
accrediting agency under review, or to make an oral comment or written
statement regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI's
authority:
Opportunity to submit a written statement regarding a specific
accrediting agency under review was solicited by a previous Federal
Register notice published on November 06, 2024 (89 FR 88046; Document
Number 2024-25785). The period for submission of such statements is now
closed. Additional written statements regarding a specific accrediting
agency or state approval agency under review will not be accepted at
this time. However, members of the public may submit written statements
regarding other issues within the scope of NACIQI's authority, as
outlined under Section 114 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1011c).
Members of the public may make oral comments regarding a specific
accrediting agency under review and/or other issues within the scope of
NACIQI's authority. Oral comments may not exceed three minutes. Oral
comments about an agency's recognition when a compliance report has
been required by the senior Department official or the Secretary must
relate to the criteria for recognition cited in the senior Department
official's letter that requested the report, or in the Secretary's
appeal decision, if any. Oral comments about an agency seeking
expansion of scope must be directed to the agency's ability to serve as
a recognized accrediting agency with respect to the kinds of
institutions or programs requested to be added. Oral comments about the
renewal of an agency's recognition must relate to its compliance with
the criteria for the Recognition of Accrediting Agencies, which are
available at <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-602?toc=1">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-602?toc=1</a>.
Instructions on Requesting To Make Public Comment
To request to make oral comments of three minutes or less or to
submit a written statement to NACIQI concerning its work outside of a
specific accrediting agency under review during the March 24 & 25,
2026, meeting, please follow the instructions below.
Submit an email to the <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7024181902142011020409331f1d1d151e04033015145e171f06"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="580c30312a3c08392a2c211b3735353d362c2b183d3c763f372e">[email protected]</span></a> mailbox. Please do
not send material directly to NACIQI members. To be considered for the
current cycle review, written statements and requests to make oral
comment must be received by March 17, 2026, and include the subject
line ``Oral Comment Request: (agency name),'' ``Oral Comment Request:
(subject)'' or ``Written Statement: (subject).'' The email must include
the name(s), title, organization/affiliation, mailing address, email
address, and telephone number, of the person(s) submitting a written
statement or requesting to speak. All individuals submitting an advance
request in accordance with this notice will be afforded an opportunity
to speak.
Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the
official report of the meeting on the NACIQI website <a href="https://sites.ed.gov/naciqi/archive-of-meetings/">https://sites.ed.gov/naciqi/archive-of-meetings/</a> within 90 days after the
meeting. In addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 1009, the public may request
to inspect records of the meeting at 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Washington, DC, by emailing <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2647554a544345495442554b47484741435466434208414950"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8decfee1ffe8eee2ffe9fee0ece3eceae8ffcde8e9a3eae2fb">[email protected]</span></a> or by calling
(202) 453-7415 to schedule an appointment. The senior Department
official's (as defined in 34 CFR 602.3 at <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-602/subpart-A/section-602.3">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-602/subpart-A/section-602.3</a>)
decisions, pursuant to 34 CFR 602.36 <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-602/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFR21f0283b12d15ca/section-602.36">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-602/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFR21f0283b12d15ca/section-602.36</a>, associated with all NACIQI meetings
can be found at the following website: <a href="https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents">https://surveys.ope.ed.gov/erecognition/#/public-documents</a>.
Reasonable Accommodations: The dial-in information and weblink
access to the meeting are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
If you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the
meeting (e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or
materials in an alternate format), notify the contact person listed in
this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date.
Although we will attempt to meet a request received after that date, we
may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or
service because of insufficient time to arrange it.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free
internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System
at: <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys">www.gpo.gov/fdsys</a>. At this site you can view this document, as well
as all other documents of the Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF,
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the
site. You also may access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at:
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Authority: Section 114 of the HEA of 1964, as amended (20 U.S.C.
1011c).
David Barker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2026-03656 Filed 2-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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