The midterm elections are in just a few days! Make sure you have a plan to vote and know what is on your ballot with these resources. In Washington, there was little activity as everyone prepares for the elections, but the Department of Education (ED) finalized higher education accreditation rules. Read more policy updates below.
- ED Finalizes Higher Education Accreditation Rules: On Oct. 29, ED finalized regulations for higher education accreditation that include increasing competition among accrediting agencies and new standards for intellectual diversity, among other reforms.
- Secretary of Education Delivers Remarks on Higher Education: On Oct. 28, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon delivered a speech at Vanderbilt University. The speech was part of a series highlighting the Administration’s K-12 education, workforce and higher education actions, and laid out a vision for the next 250 years of education.
- ED Announces 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars: On Oct. 27, ED announced the selection of 161 high school seniors as the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing their remarkable achievements in academics, the arts, and career and technical education. Specifically, 20 students are recognized as CTE scholars.
- Clearinghouse Publishes Preliminary Fall Enrollment Trends: On Oct. 29, the National Student Clearinghouse published the “Preliminary Fall Enrollment Trends,” providing preliminary enrollment estimates for the fall term. It is first of the Clearinghouse Enrollment Insights series, designed to offer institutions, policy makers, and researchers an early look at enrollment trends for the fall. Overall, postsecondary enrollment is holding steady, with community college enrollment showing growth.
- Secretary of Education Visits Utah and California on National Tour: Last week, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Beehive State at Canyon Heights Adult Learning Center in Utah to learn more about their work to strengthen adult education. She then visited a private elementary school in California.
