Iowa is the first state in the nation to receive federal approval to redirect education dollars from administrative compliance to classroom instruction.
Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Education has approved key waivers under Iowa’s Unified Allocation Plan. The announcement was made in Denison by U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon during her “Returning Education to the States” tour.
The approval gives Iowa greater flexibility under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, allowing nearly $8 million dollars in time and resources to be shifted from paperwork to student learning over four years.
The plan includes consolidating several federal programs into a state-level block grant totaling about 3.8 million dollars, expanding flexibility for local school districts using Title I and other funds, and streamlining reporting requirements.
State education leaders say the changes will reduce red tape, support teachers, and focus federal dollars on improving student outcomes.
