The move to eliminate the Department of Education and transfer accreditation functions to the states presents a powerful opportunity to reshape chiropractic education, challenging existing monopolies and fostering innovation and inclusivity. President Elect Donald Trump has made it clear that, if re-elected, he plans to dismantle the Department of Education, stating:
"And one other thing I'll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington D.C. and sending all education and education work and needs back to the States."
In addition, it is likely that the new Trump administration would attempt to reorganize the national system of college and university accreditation. Many conservatives view the current accreditation system as pushing left-wing ideological requirements, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and support shifting accreditation responsibilities to the states. This could allow states like Florida or Texas to set their own accreditation standards, creating a powerful tool for reshaping public and private institutions.
As Trump said on the campaign trail: "When I return to the White House, I will fire the radical left accreditors that have allowed our colleges to become dominated by Marxist maniacs and lunatics."
It is not entirely clear whether Trump will eliminate the Department of Education or simply shift most of its responsibilities to other departments. For instance, policy proposals associated with Trump, suggest transferring federal student aid grants and loans to the Treasury Department, effectively leaving the Department of Education without significant responsibilities.
Within chiropractic, where accusations of monopolistic control have stifled diversity, competition, and academic freedom, such a move could bolster efforts to dismantle the so-called "Chiropractic Cartel." As we witness similar shifts underway in Florida, we can envision a new future for chiropractic education—one that is fairer, more inclusive, and conducive to innovation.
The Stranglehold of the Chiropractic Cartel
To understand how transformative these policy changes could be, it's essential to consider the current state of chiropractic education and regulation, controlled by what some have called the "Chiropractic Cartel." This "cartel" consists of entities like the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), and the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB). These organizations have wielded substantial control over chiropractic education, accreditation, licensing, and regulation since the 1970s, often to the detriment of diversity within the profession.
CLICK HERE for more on that effort
The CCE, in particular, maintains a monopoly over chiropractic accreditation based on state statutes, which means aspiring chiropractors have no choice but to attend CCE-accredited programs if they wish to practice. This influence extends to licensing exams, dominated by the NBCE, whose exams serve as gatekeepers for entering the profession. And since the CCE mandates the use of the NBCE exams as an accreditation requirement the two are joined at the hip. The CCE uses the NBCE exams as a surrogate measure of licensing rates which the CCE uses to somehow determine that just because someone passed an exam means they got a license. As a result, the CCE and NBCE together form a virtual cartel, tying educational standards and outcomes to a rigid model that often suppresses competing philosophies within chiropractic practice.
The Department of Education does not directly accredit schools but instead recognizes accrediting agencies through a rigorous process. This recognition is what gives accrediting agencies their authority and, importantly, allows the schools they accredit to be eligible for federal student loans. In chiropractic, the problem is exacerbated because the CCE—a private corporation—is named in state statutes, effectively giving it a monopoly on accreditation. Similarly, the NBCE is named in state statutes, giving it a monopoly on testing. Student loan money also flows to the NBCE which it then funnels to other private corporations such as the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards FCLB).
If the Department of Education were eliminated, states would be forced to address this monopolistic language and potentially replace it with language that allows for other accrediting and testing agencies to enter the marketplace. This could open the door to greater competition and innovation in chiropractic education and licensing.
This monopolistic control not only restrains academic freedom but also shapes educational policies in a way that prioritizes financial gain over student welfare. For instance, policies like the now-scrapped Alternative Admissions Track (AAT) allowed chiropractic schools to admit students with lower academic qualifications, benefiting from increased tuition revenues while putting these students at a disadvantage without providing adequate support. This lack of transparency and accountability has left many students burdened with unmanageable debt, without a clear path to completing their education or obtaining a license.
CLICK HERE for more on that debacle
The Florida Model: A Glimpse Into the Future
Florida's ongoing efforts under Governor Ron DeSantis provide a case study for how states might seize control of accreditation and educational oversight. Florida attempted to overhaul its accreditation system by mandating that public institutions change accreditors every decade, challenging what it viewed as a federal monopoly on educational quality standards. Though the federal court ultimately dismissed Florida's lawsuit against the Department of Education, the intent was clear: to wrest control away from private, federally recognized accrediting bodies and restore power to the states.
Florida's aggressive stance mirrors the desire within chiropractic to break free from the confines of a monopoly’s oversight. If accreditation becomes a state-level function, chiropractic programs could align their curricula more closely with state priorities, promoting a broader spectrum of chiropractic philosophies rather than adhering to the narrow, approach endorsed by the CCE creating opportunities for greater academic freedom and innovation.
Implications for the Chiropractic Profession
1. Breaking Up Monopolistic Control
Dismantling the Department of Education, shifting accreditation authority to individual states and removing “CCE Only” and “NBCE Only” language would diminish the centralized power of the CCE, NBCE, and FCLB. This change would make it harder for these organizations to enforce rigid, nationwide standards that often marginalize chiropractors who practice more traditional methods. Instead, a decentralized accreditation system could enable a variety of educational models, encouraging competition and reducing the power of any single accrediting, testing or regulatory body to dictate the direction of chiropractic education and practice.
2. Encouraging Diversity in Chiropractic Education
States might set their own standards for chiropractic programs, which could lead to the development of diverse educational philosophies. This would allow students to choose programs that align with their beliefs and career goals, whether focused on a more traditional approach to chiropractic or an integrated healthcare model. Such diversity could ultimately benefit patients by providing access to a broader range of chiropractic care styles.
3. Addressing Monopolistic Language in State Statutes
If the Department of Education is eliminated, states will need to revisit the language in their statutes that currently grants monopolistic power to the CCE and NBCE. By revising these statutes, states could open the door for new accrediting and testing agencies, fostering competition and potentially improving educational quality and accessibility. This would be a critical step in breaking up the centralized control currently held by the Chiropractic Cartel.
How the Chiropractic Cartel Might React
The Chiropractic Cartel is unlikely to relinquish control without a fight. These organizations benefit financially from their monopoly over education and licensing, and any threat to this control would likely be met with significant resistance. Expect lobbying efforts aimed at state legislatures to maintain the status quo, potentially invoking their usual fear mongering about educational quality and patient safety as reasons to keep accreditation and testing centralized. But as we’ve seen, the Cartel has not been able to provide outcomes that their model actually leads to the quality of education, patient safety or clinical competency they claim.
The Cartel may also attempt to co-opt state-level accreditation processes, ensuring that any state-specific accrediting body still aligns closely with their interests. This is why vigilance and transparency will be crucial as states begin to navigate these new responsibilities.
Action Steps for the Coalition to Restore Freedom in Chiropractic
For those seeking to restore freedom and competition in chiropractic, the potential shift in accreditation policy presents an unprecedented opportunity. Here are some specific action steps the Coalition to Restore Freedom in Chiropractic can take:
- Lobby State Legislatures for Recognition of Other Accreditors: Advocate for the recognition of alternative accreditation and testing bodies for chiropractic programs that operate outside the influence of the CCE and NBCE such as the International Agency for Chiropractic Evaluation (IACE). Emphasize the importance of diversity and academic freedom in chiropractic education.
- Develop Model Legislation: Draft model legislation that outlines fair and transparent accreditation processes at the state level. This legislation should emphasize competition, transparency, and the importance of preserving various chiropractic philosophies.
- Educate the Public and Policymakers: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate policymakers and the public about the monopolistic practices of the Chiropractic Cartel. Highlight the benefits of state-level control in promoting educational diversity and protecting students from burdensome debt without clear career pathways.
- Ensure Transparency and Accountability: Advocate for strict reporting requirements for all chiropractic schools, including transparency in graduation rates, board exam pass rates, and student debt outcomes. This will prevent institutions from exploiting students through lax admissions standards and ensure that state-level accreditation is held to a high standard of accountability.
Conclusion
The move to eliminate the Department of Education and shift accreditation functions to the states could mark a new chapter for chiropractic education—one characterized by freedom, diversity, and a break from the monopolistic control that has stifled the profession for decades. The Coalition to Restore Freedom in Chiropractic has an opportunity to seize this moment and push for meaningful changes that will foster innovation, fairness, and academic freedom.
As Florida's recent actions demonstrate, the road to change is challenging, but the potential rewards—a more diverse, student-centered, and philosophically open chiropractic profession—are well worth the effort. By taking proactive steps now, the chiropractic community can ensure that these changes lead to a fairer, more equitable educational landscape for future generations.
