Antoinette Flores
@antoinetteflores.bsky.social
Higher Ed Policy @NewAmerica.org| Former Biden-Harris U.S. Department of Education | @Americanprogress.bsky.social | Mom of 3
When #negreg happens during a government shutdown, none of the Department's regulatory proposals are public because the staff that posts them online is furloughed. New America's got you covered with all of the documents for next weeks RISE negotiated rulemaking www.newamerica.org/education-po...
RISE Negotiated Rulemaking 2025
Access drafts and proposals for the Department of Education's Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) negotiated rulemaking sessions related to student loans here.
www.newamerica.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:27 PM
When #negreg happens during a government shutdown, none of the Department's regulatory proposals are public because the staff that posts them online is furloughed. New America's got you covered with all of the documents for next weeks RISE negotiated rulemaking www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Under Secretary Nicholas Kent previously defended one of the worst accrediting agencies that rubberstamped fraud. At the time, he called the move to fire that agency "an unfair process plagued by political influence" www.careereducationreview.net/2018/11/seni...
October 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Under Secretary Nicholas Kent previously defended one of the worst accrediting agencies that rubberstamped fraud. At the time, he called the move to fire that agency "an unfair process plagued by political influence" www.careereducationreview.net/2018/11/seni...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
My latest for @educationwork.newamerica.org: My investigation with @antoinetteflores.bsky.social into how NACCAS, a beauty school accreditor, allows colleges with violations to keep accessing federal aid. Many fail to disclose sanctions to students.
🔗 www.newamerica.org/education-po...
🔗 www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Cosmetology Without Accountability: Failures of a Beauty School Accreditor
Accreditation is a system built to protect students and taxpayers, but NACCAS has turned it into a shield for failing beauty schools.
www.newamerica.org
October 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
My latest for @educationwork.newamerica.org: My investigation with @antoinetteflores.bsky.social into how NACCAS, a beauty school accreditor, allows colleges with violations to keep accessing federal aid. Many fail to disclose sanctions to students.
🔗 www.newamerica.org/education-po...
🔗 www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
NEW from @PEERResearch.bsky.social: We estimated how #highered programs measure up against the accountability standard in the reconciliation law. Overall, few programs fall short, but low-earning programs are concentrated in some schools, fields. www.american.edu/spa/peer/one...
October 7, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEW from @PEERResearch.bsky.social: We estimated how #highered programs measure up against the accountability standard in the reconciliation law. Overall, few programs fall short, but low-earning programs are concentrated in some schools, fields. www.american.edu/spa/peer/one...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
Trump's ED Department has punished Harvard with heightened cash monitoring, an oversight tool for financially shaky colleges.
But as ED squeezes Harvard, it’s letting unstable colleges slide off HCM—leaving students & taxpayers unprotected:
My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
But as ED squeezes Harvard, it’s letting unstable colleges slide off HCM—leaving students & taxpayers unprotected:
My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Heightened Cash Monitoring Weaponized: Failing Schools Skirt Scrutiny, Harvard Takes the Blow
The Trump Administration is twisting a longstanding oversight tool for political gain.
www.newamerica.org
September 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Trump's ED Department has punished Harvard with heightened cash monitoring, an oversight tool for financially shaky colleges.
But as ED squeezes Harvard, it’s letting unstable colleges slide off HCM—leaving students & taxpayers unprotected:
My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
But as ED squeezes Harvard, it’s letting unstable colleges slide off HCM—leaving students & taxpayers unprotected:
My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
"Budgets are being balanced on the backs of students—often in the forms of debt."
Replay today's Congressional hearing on #college costs to hear from our #HigherEd expert @amylaitinen.bsky.social on how that big "beautiful" (🙄) bill will have a big negative impact on student affordability.
Replay today's Congressional hearing on #college costs to hear from our #HigherEd expert @amylaitinen.bsky.social on how that big "beautiful" (🙄) bill will have a big negative impact on student affordability.
September 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"Budgets are being balanced on the backs of students—often in the forms of debt."
Replay today's Congressional hearing on #college costs to hear from our #HigherEd expert @amylaitinen.bsky.social on how that big "beautiful" (🙄) bill will have a big negative impact on student affordability.
Replay today's Congressional hearing on #college costs to hear from our #HigherEd expert @amylaitinen.bsky.social on how that big "beautiful" (🙄) bill will have a big negative impact on student affordability.
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
“An attack that undermines accreditation is an attack on independence in higher education.” A new #Academe article by Antoinette Flores examines both the history of accreditation in higher ed and political interference in the accreditation system today.
@antoinetteflores.bsky.social
@newamerica.org
@antoinetteflores.bsky.social
@newamerica.org
The "Secret Weapon" in Right-Wing Attacks on Higher Education
The Trump administration is leveraging the accreditation system to force its political agenda onto colleges and universities.
www.aaup.org
September 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM
“An attack that undermines accreditation is an attack on independence in higher education.” A new #Academe article by Antoinette Flores examines both the history of accreditation in higher ed and political interference in the accreditation system today.
@antoinetteflores.bsky.social
@newamerica.org
@antoinetteflores.bsky.social
@newamerica.org
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
"accreditation is a reflection of shared academic values and professional norms—not a faceless, all-powerful regulator. An attack that undermines accreditation is an attack on independence in higher education."
Read @antoinetteflores.bsky.social: www.aaup.org/secret-weapo...
Read @antoinetteflores.bsky.social: www.aaup.org/secret-weapo...
The "Secret Weapon" in Right-Wing Attacks on Higher Education
The Trump administration is leveraging the accreditation system to force its political agenda onto colleges and universities.
www.aaup.org
September 9, 2025 at 5:53 PM
"accreditation is a reflection of shared academic values and professional norms—not a faceless, all-powerful regulator. An attack that undermines accreditation is an attack on independence in higher education."
Read @antoinetteflores.bsky.social: www.aaup.org/secret-weapo...
Read @antoinetteflores.bsky.social: www.aaup.org/secret-weapo...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
1/ I wrote for @theatlantic.com about what happened when Trump and Linda McMahon fired half the U.S. Department of Education: Everyone responsible for preventing higher education fraud is now gone. It's open season on students and taxpayers.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
How Trump Defunded the Higher-Education Police
The U.S. Department of Education used to employ people whose job was to stop waste, fraud, and abuse. Now, almost all of their desks are empty.
www.theatlantic.com
July 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
1/ I wrote for @theatlantic.com about what happened when Trump and Linda McMahon fired half the U.S. Department of Education: Everyone responsible for preventing higher education fraud is now gone. It's open season on students and taxpayers.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
This week, ED released 90/10 calculations, the first time since new regulations closed the loophole that allowed colleges to prey on veterans. It now includes all federal aid. 16 colleges failed compared to 5 using the previous measure. The problem? Today ED announced it was changing the rules
July 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This week, ED released 90/10 calculations, the first time since new regulations closed the loophole that allowed colleges to prey on veterans. It now includes all federal aid. 16 colleges failed compared to 5 using the previous measure. The problem? Today ED announced it was changing the rules
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
University of Austin co-founder Joe Lonsdale no longer just asking questions about race
June 22, 2025 at 1:38 PM
University of Austin co-founder Joe Lonsdale no longer just asking questions about race
Now that both House and Senate versions of higher ed reconciliation proposals are out @educationwork.newamerica.org has a number of recommendations on how policymakers can strengthen the accountability and loan repayment provisions to protect students and taxpayers www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Strengthening College Accountability through Reconciliation
As the reconciliation process moves forward, policymakers can strengthen accountability and loan repayment provisions in key ways.
www.newamerica.org
June 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Now that both House and Senate versions of higher ed reconciliation proposals are out @educationwork.newamerica.org has a number of recommendations on how policymakers can strengthen the accountability and loan repayment provisions to protect students and taxpayers www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Lawmakers are poised to extend Pell to short-term credentials. With few guardrails in place, it will incentivize an explosion in unaccredited for-profit providers, and rack up the cost of Pell. Taking note of anyone saying this is a good idea with no concerns www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Workforce Pell Would Extend Grants to Unaccredited Programs
Lawmakers are poised to extend Pell eligibility to short-term credential programs. With few guardrails in place, it could incentivize an explosion in unaccredited and for-profit providers.
www.insidehighered.com
June 16, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Lawmakers are poised to extend Pell to short-term credentials. With few guardrails in place, it will incentivize an explosion in unaccredited for-profit providers, and rack up the cost of Pell. Taking note of anyone saying this is a good idea with no concerns www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
Two big takeaways from my new piece today.
One, the Trump administration is trying to strong-arm an accreditor into doing its political bidding. Two, Columbia’s accredition isn’t in real jeopardy if the proper processes are followed. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
One, the Trump administration is trying to strong-arm an accreditor into doing its political bidding. Two, Columbia’s accredition isn’t in real jeopardy if the proper processes are followed. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
The Trump Administration Is Wielding Accreditation as Political Weapon Against Columbia University
The administration's actions threaten the entire integrity of the accreditor system, which is supposed to be insulated from political pressures.
www.newamerica.org
June 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Two big takeaways from my new piece today.
One, the Trump administration is trying to strong-arm an accreditor into doing its political bidding. Two, Columbia’s accredition isn’t in real jeopardy if the proper processes are followed. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
One, the Trump administration is trying to strong-arm an accreditor into doing its political bidding. Two, Columbia’s accredition isn’t in real jeopardy if the proper processes are followed. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
Apropos of nothing, but here's my story from October on accreditation.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Can Republicans take away a college’s accreditation?
But, the federal government has no say in whether an individual college is accredited, experts say. That decision is up to the accreditors.
www.insidehighered.com
June 4, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Apropos of nothing, but here's my story from October on accreditation.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
How could the One Big Beautiful Bill affect how we pay for college?
In the latest episode of @NewAmerica.org's #DemocracyDeciphered, @shannonlynchdc.bsky.social chats with @antoinetteflores.bsky.social of @educationwork.newamerica.org to break it all down.
🎧 go.newamerica.org/dem-decipher...
In the latest episode of @NewAmerica.org's #DemocracyDeciphered, @shannonlynchdc.bsky.social chats with @antoinetteflores.bsky.social of @educationwork.newamerica.org to break it all down.
🎧 go.newamerica.org/dem-decipher...
June 2, 2025 at 10:09 PM
How could the One Big Beautiful Bill affect how we pay for college?
In the latest episode of @NewAmerica.org's #DemocracyDeciphered, @shannonlynchdc.bsky.social chats with @antoinetteflores.bsky.social of @educationwork.newamerica.org to break it all down.
🎧 go.newamerica.org/dem-decipher...
In the latest episode of @NewAmerica.org's #DemocracyDeciphered, @shannonlynchdc.bsky.social chats with @antoinetteflores.bsky.social of @educationwork.newamerica.org to break it all down.
🎧 go.newamerica.org/dem-decipher...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
NEW via @srcellini.bsky.social @peerresearch.bsky.social: Congress might offer Pell Grants to #highered programs as short as 8 weeks -- including at unaccredited schools. Research shows that's likely to be both expensive to taxpayers and enormously risky for students www.american.edu/spa/peer/wor...
May 29, 2025 at 1:56 PM
NEW via @srcellini.bsky.social @peerresearch.bsky.social: Congress might offer Pell Grants to #highered programs as short as 8 weeks -- including at unaccredited schools. Research shows that's likely to be both expensive to taxpayers and enormously risky for students www.american.edu/spa/peer/wor...
Sec. McMahon describes ED as “an agency that is responsibly winding down.” Meanwhile, House Republicans are seeking to pass legislation that would require it to dramatically ramp up to implement one of the most complicated set of changes in decades, setting off an implementation nightmare.
One Big Beautiful Bill is an Implementation Nightmare for Higher Education
Education Secretary McMahon has repeatedly described the Department as “an agency that is responsibly winding down.” While the Department is hoping to wind down, House Republicans are proposing legisl...
www.newamerica.org
May 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Sec. McMahon describes ED as “an agency that is responsibly winding down.” Meanwhile, House Republicans are seeking to pass legislation that would require it to dramatically ramp up to implement one of the most complicated set of changes in decades, setting off an implementation nightmare.
Today the Senate HELP advanced Nicholas Kent, nominee for ED's top higher education policy role, without a hearing. Kent's experience includes lobbying for for-profit colleges and against regulations that protect students. Here's what the Senate should have asked and the public deserved answers to
Questions the Senate Should Have Asked ED’s Top Higher Education Policy Nominee
The Senate advanced the Department of Education's top higher education policy nominee, Nicholas Kent, without a hearing. Here are the questions the Senate should have asked.
www.newamerica.org
May 22, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Today the Senate HELP advanced Nicholas Kent, nominee for ED's top higher education policy role, without a hearing. Kent's experience includes lobbying for for-profit colleges and against regulations that protect students. Here's what the Senate should have asked and the public deserved answers to
While Congressional Republicans are looking to strike the concept of gainful employment from the HEA, the Trump Administration is offering a strong defense of GE regulations in court, saying the need is acute given high levels of unpaid debt
Education Dept. Urges Judge to Uphold Gainful Employment Rule
Trump administration lawyers urged a federal judge in a recent court filing to uphold regulations put in place under former president Joe Biden that require
www.insidehighered.com
May 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
While Congressional Republicans are looking to strike the concept of gainful employment from the HEA, the Trump Administration is offering a strong defense of GE regulations in court, saying the need is acute given high levels of unpaid debt
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
Grand Canyon University misled students about the costs of its doctoral programs. Now it's off the hook.
open.substack.com/pub/friendly...
open.substack.com/pub/friendly...
Trump admin drops $37.7M fine against Christian school that lied about tuition
Grand Canyon University misled students about the costs of its doctoral programs. Now it's off the hook.
open.substack.com
May 18, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Grand Canyon University misled students about the costs of its doctoral programs. Now it's off the hook.
open.substack.com/pub/friendly...
open.substack.com/pub/friendly...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
The U.S. Department of Education has canceled all 2025 Fulbright-Hays fellowships, leaving many doctoral students and faculty without key study abroad opportunities. A major setback for international education and global expertise. #FulbrightHays #HigherEd
www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
Fulbright-Hays Grants Canceled for the Year
The grant programs have supported the international research of students and scholars for more than 60 years.
www.insidehighered.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The U.S. Department of Education has canceled all 2025 Fulbright-Hays fellowships, leaving many doctoral students and faculty without key study abroad opportunities. A major setback for international education and global expertise. #FulbrightHays #HigherEd
www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
A few new accreditors want federal recognition.
Their leaders are tied to predatory for-profit colleges, some of which defrauded students. My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Their leaders are tied to predatory for-profit colleges, some of which defrauded students. My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Meet the Would-Be Accreditors Tied to Predatory For-Profit Colleges
The Trump administration is laying the groundwork for potentially exploitative accreditors to enter the federal financial aid system.
www.newamerica.org
April 30, 2025 at 1:45 AM
A few new accreditors want federal recognition.
Their leaders are tied to predatory for-profit colleges, some of which defrauded students. My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Their leaders are tied to predatory for-profit colleges, some of which defrauded students. My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
Harvard redid its whole homepage to push back against the administration’s demands. I mean, this is just a website but I think it’s kind of a great PR move: www.harvard.edu
Harvard University
Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders who make a difference globally.
www.harvard.edu
April 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Harvard redid its whole homepage to push back against the administration’s demands. I mean, this is just a website but I think it’s kind of a great PR move: www.harvard.edu
Reposted by Antoinette Flores
As of this morning, we've tracked over 600 student visa revocations at more than 100 colleges.
That's double yesterday morning's count. Send updates to me or @amowreader.com and follow @insidehighered.com interactive visa map here: www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
That's double yesterday morning's count. Send updates to me or @amowreader.com and follow @insidehighered.com interactive visa map here: www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
Where Students Have Had Their Visas Revoked
The Trump administration has quietly revoked hundreds of student visas across the country, wreaking havoc on the system.
www.insidehighered.com
April 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
As of this morning, we've tracked over 600 student visa revocations at more than 100 colleges.
That's double yesterday morning's count. Send updates to me or @amowreader.com and follow @insidehighered.com interactive visa map here: www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
That's double yesterday morning's count. Send updates to me or @amowreader.com and follow @insidehighered.com interactive visa map here: www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...