BOSTON — The U.S. Department of Education is taking the first step to close the nation’s biggest accreditor of for-profit colleges.

Department staff recommended Wednesday that the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools be terminated.

The council serves as a watchdog for 900 campuses and decides if they can receive federal funding.

But several state attorneys general have accused it of overlooking deception by some schools. The council has accredited some institutions accused of fraud, including the now-defunct Corinthian College chain.

Education officials found problems with the group’s standards during a review.

The recommendation goes to an advisory committee before top department officials make a final decision.

If the council closes, its schools would have 18 months to find new accreditors or lose federal funding. The council did not immediately comment.