by Judith Eaton

“College Accreditors Need Higher Standards” (editorial, Oct. 20), quite appropriately, calls on the accrediting community to focus more attention on protecting students and to demand better performance from colleges and universities that are accredited.

The editorial reflects a growing consensus — from Congress, the Department of Education, members of the media and some in the higher education community itself — that accreditation must do more.

We agree. Accreditation must play a more powerful public accountability role in the future.