The U.S. Department of Education has moved to strip the American Bar Association (ABA) of its authority to accredit law schools, citing findings that the organization is out of compliance with federal accreditation regulations and recognition standards.
On August 21, a Department of Education spokesperson confirmed the decision, which follows a review initiated under the Trump administration’s broader effort to overhaul higher education accreditation. The ABA currently accredits approximately 200 law schools that rely on federal funding, including student loans, for operations.
Key developments:
- The Education Department’s review concluded that the ABA’s accreditation standards do not meet federal requirements, including a requirement that accreditors operate separately and independently from their parent organizations.
- The ABA was also criticized for delays in revising its diversity standards, which the department deemed insufficiently aligned with federal recognition criteria.
A bipartisan accreditation advisory committee will evaluate the recommendation in September, with a final decision expected in the coming months. The ABA’s accreditation council has stated it will address the department’s concerns when it meets with the committee.
Implications of the decision
Revoking the ABA’s accreditor status could disrupt federal student loan access for some law schools and complicate bar exam eligibility for students, as ABA accreditation is often required for licensing in multiple states. The Education Department has not disclosed further details, citing the ongoing multi-stage review process.
Broader context: Accreditation overhaul
The move aligns with a proposed rule published by the Education Department on August 19, which aims to overhaul the college and university accreditation system. The department argues that the current system has contributed to inflated tuition costs, administrative bloat, and ideological mandates that prioritize political agendas over educational outcomes.
Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent stated in a report that a small number of accrediting agencies have controlled higher education for too long, driving up costs and limiting competition. The proposed rules would:
- Make it easier for new accrediting agencies to enter the market.
- Allow colleges to switch accreditors more freely.
- Emphasize student outcomes, such as graduation rates and job placement.
- Require accreditors to consider academic freedom and intellectual diversity in their evaluations.
Reactions and responses
The ABA’s accreditation council, led by chairperson Melissa Hart, expressed confidence in its ability to address the department’s concerns. In a statement, Hart noted that the council will "clarify the record" and correct any misconceptions during the advisory committee review.
The decision has intensified a longstanding tension between the Trump administration and the ABA, which the White House has previously described as a "snooty" organization of "leftist lawyers." The ABA has not publicly commented on the political characterization.
Ongoing process
The Education Department’s review is part of a multi-stage process that includes input from an independent advisory committee. The timeline for a final decision remains uncertain, but the department has indicated that the process will unfold over several months.
Law schools and legal education advocates are monitoring the situation closely, as the outcome could reshape the landscape of legal education and professional licensing in the United States.