Arkansas
Trump Administration Expands State Control Over $109M in Federal Education Funds
The Trump administration is increasing its efforts to turn more control of federal education money to the states as it continues working to dismantle the Education Department. Six states have received waivers allowing them to consolidate more than $109 million…
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Key points
- Six states received federal waivers to consolidate over $109 million in education funding into flexible state-controlled grants.
- A record 22 states have been granted Ed-Flex authority, allowing them to bypass specific federal rules without federal approval.
- Federal funding represents roughly 12% of overall K-12 spending, with state and local taxpayers providing the remaining 88%.
NewsWK — The Trump administration is expanding efforts to decentralize federal education authority, granting states greater flexibility over how they spend federal education dollars as part of a broader initiative to return governance to state and local officials.
According to a report first published by Stateline — All States, six states—Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Vermont—have been granted “Returning Education to the States” waivers. The waivers allow state leaders to consolidate four distinct federal funding streams totaling more than $109 million into a single pool. This enables state education departments to bypass certain federal mandates and direct resources toward local priorities, such as statewide math and reading initiatives.
Expanding Local Control and Flexibility
In addition to the block-grant style waivers, 22 states have secured authority under the Education Flexibility Partnership, commonly known as Ed-Flex. This authority allows state education agencies to waive specific federal regulations for school districts without seeking individual approval from Washington for every decision. Department officials noted that 22 states represents the highest participation rate in the program’s 32-year history.
Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education‘s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, encouraged state leaders to take the lead in addressing their unique educational needs rather than relying on federal mandates.
“Don’t wait for the signal to come because what students in North Dakota need are going to be completely different than what Texas needs or Louisiana or Oregon or Washington,” Baesler told Stateline.
Under Indiana‘s waiver, for example, the state is launching a pilot program permitting up to 15% of its school districts to combine federal funds previously earmarked separately for student instruction and teacher development, while also adjusting high school performance rating metrics.
Debate Over Accountability and Transition Costs
While advocates for state control argue that local officials are best positioned to allocate resources efficiently, some state education associations have raised concerns. Opponents contend that consolidating funds could diminish federal oversight and shift money away from high-need districts that rely on specific formula-based grants.
The moves align with President Donald Trump‘s March 2025 executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin winding down federal education operations and shifting program management to the states. While closing the department permanently requires an act of Congress, administration officials have begun transferring administrative functions to other federal agencies.
Carissa Moffatt Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers, noted at a recent legislative conference that federal sources account for approximately 12% of total K-12 education funding, with the remaining 88% supplied by state and local taxpayers. She cautioned that shifting grant management systems across federal agencies could cause temporary funding delays for local districts.
Based on reporting by Robbie Sequeira originally published by Stateline. Read the original story.
