AIM Negotiated Rulemaking: Session One Highlights
Published May 18, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations
Higher Education OME Advocate
- ED convened the first Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) negotiated rulemaking session April 13–17, 2026, to consider sweeping revisions to accreditation and institutional eligibility regulations related to Executive Order 14279.
- Negotiators, including AACOM appointee Brian Kessler, DO, reviewed ED’s 151-page discussion draft, which included provisions to reduce regulatory burdens, ease pathways for new accreditors and expand the use of student outcome metrics. Negotiators participated in a robust conversation, but little compromise was reached.
- For more information, read AACOM’s summary of session one. Negotiators convene for the final session this week, May 18-22, 2026.