News You Might Have Missed: 6/27/25

A collection of news and updates relating to admissions and testing over the last week.

Photo by Mikael Kristenson on Unsplash

Southern States Band Together for New Accreditation Agency

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a new accreditation body for public universities in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. To be known as “The Commission for Public Higher Education,” this new body is a joint venture of the State University System of Florida, the Texas A&M University System, the University System of Georgia, the University of South Carolina and the University of Tennessee System. DeSantis specifically cited being able to use standards that were different than the “cartel” (his word) of accreditors, including initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This announcement is strange on a number of levels. In order to be an official accreditors, the Department of Education needs to sign off on this new venture. That process could take two years, past the next election for Governor of Florida. Additionally, these schools …