Half of U.S. States Join Ed-Flex Program Granting Schools Greater Spending Autonomy

The Department of Education announced that Arizona, Nevada and South Carolina have been accepted into the Ed-Flex program, raising the total number of participating states to 25, or half of the United States. Ed-Flex, established in 1999 and reauthorized in 2015 under the Every Student Succeeds Act, permits states to waive specific federal requirements on how education funds are used, with the goal of reducing red tape and improving student performance.

Officials from each new state praised the move, emphasizing local knowledge and the ability to allocate resources more effectively. The Department noted that the surge in participation follows a nationwide outreach effort and includes states led by both parties. While the program offers broad waiver authority, it cannot override core mandates related to health, safety, civil rights, IDEA provisions, and parental involvement.