September 18, 2026

Dear ACCET Members,

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2026 ACCET Annual Conference. It was great to see so many of you, reconnect with colleagues, share ideas, and celebrate the important work taking place across our member institutions.

As promised, we wanted to provide an update on the proposed AIM regulations and share information about a recent institutional development affecting members of the ACCET community.

Department of Education AIM Proposed Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education has released its proposed Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) regulations and is seeking public comment through September 21, 2026. The proposed regulations are available for review in the Federal Register, and comments may be submitted via the Regulations.gov docket. Because the comment period is open to all interested stakeholders, members may wish to review the proposal and consider providing feedback on issues that may affect their institutions, students, and the broader community they serve.

ACCET is actively reviewing the proposed regulations and their potential impact on our agency, member institutions, and students. While we are still evaluating the details, we welcome the conversation about innovation, student outcomes, reducing unnecessary administrative burden, and modernizing accreditation processes.

ACCET’s longstanding accreditation framework will preserve the qualities that have made accreditation an effective quality-assurance system for decades: independent peer review, focus on educational quality and student outcomes, mission-based evaluation that recognizes unique institutional values, ethical institutional practices and accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.

As discussions continue, ACCET will remain actively engaged in the review process and support approaches that encourage innovation while preserving the flexibility needed to serve institutions with unique institutional values and the independence that enables accreditation to effectively support educational quality and student success.

The enduring strength of accreditation lies not in regulations alone but in the peer review process. The exchange of ideas, expertise, and best practices among institutions and volunteer reviewers remains one of accreditation’s most valuable contributions to institutional improvement and student achievement.

Similarly, ACCET’s membership reflects an extraordinary diversity of missions, educational models, and student populations. That diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It drives innovation, fosters the sharing of effective practices, and helps ensure that accreditation remains responsive to the evolving needs of students, employers, and communities.

Unprecedented Time of Opportunity in Education

We are operating at an unprecedented time of opportunity in education. New technologies expanded access to information, and rapidly evolving instructional methods are creating possibilities that would have been difficult to imagine just a few years ago. These developments can expand access, increase flexibility, enhance student engagement, and support more personalized approaches to learning. As innovation continues to reshape education, accreditation plays an important role in helping institutions harness these opportunities while maintaining a steadfast focus on quality, student achievement, and continuous improvement.

Guided by the ACCET 2030 Vision, ACCET remains committed to supporting institutions as they adapt to new opportunities, evolving learner needs, and a rapidly changing educational landscape. Through peer evaluation, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we will continue working to ensure that accreditation remains both relevant and responsive while advancing educational quality and student success.

Recent Developments Involving EC Boston

Many of you may be aware of recent developments involving EC Boston, an ACCET-accredited English language institution with a main campus in Boston and branch locations in San Francisco, Santa Monica, and New York. The institution recently announced the sudden closure of its worldwide operations. As information became available, ACCET began reviewing the matter through its established accreditation processes.

We believe it is important to keep the membership informed about significant developments affecting the ACCET community. At the same time, ACCET remains committed to protecting the integrity of the accreditation process by ensuring that every institution receives a fair and thorough review. Accordingly, the Commission convened a Special Commission Meeting to consider the most recent information regarding EC Boston. The meeting demonstrated ACCET’s ability to quickly assemble its volunteer peer-review leaders and decision-makers when circumstances require timely review and action.

Consistent with our commitment to transparency, Commission actions and reports, including Commission Reports, adverse actions, and other Commission publications, are posted in the “Commission” section of the ACCET website.

The circumstances surrounding EC Boston also serve as a reminder of the challenges facing many institutions serving international students. In recent years, English language schools and other internationally focused institutions have experienced enrollment fluctuations, economic pressures, shifts in student mobility patterns, and an evolving immigration and visa policy landscape, including ongoing discussions about Duration of Status regulations.

While each institution’s circumstances are unique, the developments at EC Boston underscore the importance of sound operations, financial stability, and adaptability in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment. We are grateful to the ACCET-accredited institutions that have stepped forward to support affected students. Their willingness to assist reflects our membership’s collaborative spirit and our shared commitment to educational opportunities.

Closing Thoughts

The topics discussed in this update reflect the dynamic environment in which accredited institutions operate today. ACCET accreditation is A Partnership for Quality®, and we are committed to supporting institutions through collaboration, peer review, and a focus on continuous improvement. We will keep you informed as developments unfold and their implications become clearer. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to quality education!

Res Helfer, Executive Director