Education Department Approves Oklahoma and Nebraska Returning Education to the States Waivers, Topping $164 Million in Savings Across 10 States
The U.S. Department of Education announced on November 10 that it has approved Returning Education to the States (RES) waiver requests from Oklahoma and Nebraska, making them the ninth and tenth states to receive the flexibility. The waivers let the states consolidate and use federal education funds more flexibly while cutting federal paperwork and compliance work.
According to the department, Oklahoma expects to save more than $3.5 million by consolidating fragmented grant programs, Nebraska about $3 million, and the ten approved states together are projected to save more than $164 million through 2029, freeing funds for classrooms. Nebraska also received Ed-Flex authority, becoming a record 28th state with that flexibility.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said returning education decision-making to the states, so state governments decide how funds can most effectively serve students, is central to the administration's education policy. Nebraska Commissioner of Education Brian Maher and department official Lindel Fields said the waivers will reduce duplicative reporting burdens on local districts.
The RES waivers are issued under the waiver authority in Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), consistent with Executive Order 14242 of March 20, 2025, which set the direction of shrinking the federal department and returning education authority to the states. The department said applications from additional states remain under review. (Source: U.S. Department of Education)
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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