Texas Drops ABA Oversight of Lawyers Amid Anti-DEI Push

January 15, 2026

HEADLINES

Texas Drops ABA Oversight of Lawyers Amid Anti-DEI Push (Inside Higher Ed, Jan. 12, 2026) Texas has ended its requirement that aspiring lawyers graduate from an American Bar Association–accredited law school, a move driven by broader political opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards. While experts suggest that this decision could open the door to alternative law-school accreditors, most institutions are expected to continue adhering to ABA standards, at least in the near term, according to Inside Higher Ed.

Want to Transform College Accreditation? Trump Has a Grant for You. (The Chronicle of Higher Education, Jan. 9, 2026) The Trump administration has awarded approximately $14.5 million in federal grants aimed at reshaping the college accreditation landscape. Most awards went to established organizations seeking to reform existing accreditation models, although some funding supported more unconventional efforts, including a proposal to create a new programmatic accreditor focused on AI workforce programs.

Trump’s Next Plan for the US Education System: Lots and Lots of Rules (Politico, Jan. 4, 2026) After a year marked by investigations and rapid policy shifts, the administration is signaling a move toward institutionalizing its education agenda through formal rules and enforcement mechanisms. The approach is expected to have lasting implications for colleges and universities, particularly in areas related to accountability, compliance, and accreditation oversight, according to Politico.

Ministry Announces Tighter Regulation of HE Institutions (University World News, Jan. 12, 2026) The National Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates has announced plans to impose tighter regulatory controls on higher education institutions, citing concerns about quality, oversight, and public accountability. The announcement reflects a broader global trend toward increased scrutiny of institutional performance and quality assurance mechanisms, writes University World News.