On June 26, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the formation of a new regional accreditation body known as the Commission for Public Higher Education. This initiative, spearheaded by Florida’s State University System, is part of a broader strategy involving Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Its mission? To offer an alternative to traditional, independent accreditors perceived as dominated by “woke” ideological agendas.

Targeting the “Accreditation Cartels”

In a press conference at Florida Atlantic University, DeSantis criticized the existing accreditation system for prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion policies over academic rigor. He framed the new commission as a more “rigorous, transparent” alternative focusing on measurable student outcomes and core academic values.

He told attendees: “It’ll upend the monopoly of the woke accreditation cartels… [Focus on] student achievement, rather than ideological fads.”

Leadership and Federal Strategy

DeSantis emphasized coordination with the Trump administration to secure federal approval and insulate the initiative from future legal challenges. Key supporters included:

• Ray Rodrigues, Chancellor of Florida’s State University System
  
  
• Adam Haner, President, Florida Atlantic University
  
  
• Thad Westbrook, Chairperson, University of South Carolina Board of Trustees
  
  
•  Shonda Gibson, Associate Vice Chancellor, Texas A&M University System

Addressing Public Distrust

Rodrigues pointed to a Gallup poll showing only 36% of Americans trust public higher education, citing concerns about ideological bias, lack of job-relevance, and rising costs and debt. He specifically faulted the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which oversees accreditation in many southern states.

According to Rodrigues, nearly 50 four-year universities accredited by SACSCOC had graduation rates below 20%, yet maintained full accreditation status.

Goals of the New Commission

The newly proposed commission aims to:

• Emphasize academic excellence and student success
  
  
• Eliminate ideological bias from evaluation criteria
  
  
• Reduce administrative and financial burdens on universities

Proponents argue the current system, including SACSCOC, allows underperforming institutions to maintain accreditation despite dismal outcomes.

Criticisms and Concerns

Critics of the initiative warn that state-directed accreditation could invite politicization, threaten academic freedom, and weaken institutional autonomy. They argue it may erode student speech protections, diminish public accountability, and expand government oversight.

The Systemic Significance

This move is the latest in a trend of conservative-led reforms targeting accreditation standards. Florida joins several other states, including Texas and Georgia, in seeking alternatives to established accreditation frameworks. Calls for such changes intensified in the late 2010s, notably during the Trump administration, which sought to democratize accreditation by reducing federal constraints and weakening regional accreditors.

What Lies Ahead

The formation of the Commission for Public Higher Education hinges on gaining federal recognition, essential for its legitimacy in awarding degrees and accessing federal aid. DeSantis and his allies believe that with federal approval, the new model will offer public universities a viable, non-political pathway to accreditation. Detractors see fluffy rhetoric and the potential for ideological interference.

Final Thoughts

At roughly 500 words, the proposed accreditation model signals a major shift in higher education oversight in the South. Its success, or failure, could redefine how universities are evaluated, funded, and held to account. Supporters champion it as a necessary overhaul focused on outcomes; opponents fear it may undermine independence and academic integrity.