Last month marked a substantial change in the education sector in North Carolina, as Governor Roy Cooper endorsed and signed House Bill 8 (HB 8) into law. This legislation not only introduced a new mandatory computer science requirement for high school graduates, but also implemented age verification protocols to shield minors from online adult content.
Perhaps the most contentious provision of HB 8 is one that compels public colleges and universities in North Carolina to use a different accrediting agency at each renewal cycle that typically lasts between five to 10 years. The impact of this modification can be expected to be far-reaching and consequential, both in North Carolina and in other states, such as Florida, that are observing closely before initiating similar reforms.
Assigned with the critical responsibility of certifying that an institution or a program meets established standards, accrediting agencies play a pivotal role in preserving the quality of higher education. Switching accrediting agencies every cycle disrupts the consistent standard measurement of an institution’s quality and effectiveness, which could lead to a variation in education standards throughout the state.
This alteration in the law can also result in logistical complications as each accrediting agency has its set of standards and processes for accreditation. The continual adaptability to a new set of rules every few years will require considerable time and effort from colleges and universities. These repeated cycles of unfamiliarity can potentially make this legislation an onerous operational undertaking for the state’s higher education institutions.
The long-term consequences of this directive remain to be seen. However, they will undoubtedly command careful and close attention from stakeholders both within and outside North Carolina. The results also have significant implications for Florida, which is poised to potentially follow suit in a similar education reform, thereby making the effects of this change broader and more comprehensive.
For a more detailed read on HB 8 and its implications, visit Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC.