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U.S. Department of Education Approves Returning Education to the States Waivers for Oklahoma and Nebraska: 10 States Can Now Pool Over $164 Million

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 · Federal · GSM News

The U.S. Department of Education announced on November 10 that it has approved Returning Education to the States (RES) waivers for Oklahoma and Nebraska, giving both states greater freedom to combine federal funding streams in support of their education strategies. They are the ninth and tenth states to receive RES waivers, joining Iowa, Louisiana, Indiana, Vermont, Arkansas, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Ohio.

Through 2029, Oklahoma plans to consolidate over $3.5 million and Nebraska nearly $3 million in federal funding; across all 10 states with RES waivers, more than $164 million can now be pooled. The Department also noted that through existing flexibilities such as Ed-Flex, over half the nation is participating in similar arrangements under which districts and schools can waive certain federal requirements without first submitting each waiver for Department review.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the two states now have the freedom to break down federal funding silos and align resources with the priorities of their students, families, and communities. Oklahoma Superintendent Lindel Fields and Nebraska Commissioner Brian Maher each said the flexibility will help their states direct federal resources to local needs.

(Source: U.S. Department of Education)

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图:美国教育部总部林登·约翰逊大楼(华盛顿)。ajay_suresh 摄,CC BY 2.0,经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington. Photo by ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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