Message from Trischa Duke, Commission Chair
Greetings on behalf of CEA. I am pleased to provide you with this update on the Commission’s activities, including our recent August meeting in Alexandria, VA. The Commission accomplished its planned work, including an accreditation decision-making session, subcommittee meetings, and a professional development session focused on strategic planning for CEA’s future. The Commission not only performs CEA’s important work in making accreditation decisions and monitoring compliance for accredited programs, but also has certain fiduciary responsibilities related to governance of CEA as a non-profit agency. Part of our annual responsibilities include reviewing a summary of CEA Annual Reports and approving the CEA Fee Schedule.

As a specialized accreditor, CEA’s commissioners come from the diverse field of postsecondary English language education and actively monitor the higher education landscape in the United States and worldwide. At this meeting, the Commission discussed upcoming implementation of regulations which impact US-based programs and institutions certified by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP). The Commission also discussed responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed an AI Policy Statement for employees and volunteers. CEA’s mission to uphold excellence in English language teaching and administration, ensuring that students are well served by the programs and institutions accredited by CEA, is central to these discussions and framing CEA’s.

Trischa Duke
2026 Commission Chair

Recent accreditation decisions
The Commission met August 7-9, 2026, to make accreditation decisions and conduct other CEA business. Accreditation decisions are announced on the CEA website under “Recent Decisions” within 30 days of each meeting. Please direct any questions about CEA or its accredited programs and language institutions to staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2026 Annual Report Summary
The Standards Compliance Committee and the Commission reviewed and approved the Annual Report Summary for release following the August Commission meeting. Each year, CEA provides the Constituent Council with a summary of the annual reports submitted by accredited sites. This report is disseminated to Constituent Council members and is not intended for public release.

2027 Fee Schedule
Each year in August, the Finance Committee reviews the CEA Fee Schedule to approve all fees for the following year. Certain increases to annual sustaining fees and site visit fees were approved. The new fee schedule is effective January 1, 2027.

SEVP Final Rule on Elimination of Duration of Status
On July 17, 2026, the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) published a final rule to eliminate duration of status. These new rules take effect on September 15, 2026. Some accredited programs and institutions use accreditation by CEA to be eligible for certification with SEVP. All CEA-accredited sites certified by SEVP are required to comply with the new rules.