December 17, 1999

Education Dept. and Career Schools Clash Over Accrediting of Distance Learning

By BETH McMURTRIE and KATHERINE S. MANGAN

The U.S. Department of Education sidestepped a potentially divisive debate with an accreditation agency last week over the issue of distance education. But the dispute has raised questions over how the department will evaluate such programs in the future.

At issue was whether the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity -- which evaluates accreditation agencies' compliance with Education Department standards -- would allow the Accrediting Commission of Career