Idaho schools will get more flexibility in how they use federal dollars, after the U.S. Department of Education approved a waiver package submitted by state superintendent Debbie Critchfield.
The approval includes both an Ed-Flex designation and a waiver under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, giving districts and charter schools more discretion over spending rules, testing and budgeting.
The changes should reduce administrative requirements and allow districts and charters to direct funding where it’s most needed, Critchfield said.
The waiver allows schools to carry over up to 100% of Title I, Part A funds every other fiscal year. State leaders said the change should help local leaders make longer-term investments in academic supports and school improvements.
The waiver also removes, for five years, several federal spending requirements, including:
- A 20% set-aside for Well-Rounded Education Opportunities and Safe and Healthy Students programs.
- A 15% cap on technology infrastructure spending.
Meanwhile, the new Ed-Flex status will allow Idaho to waive some federal requirements that officials say can slow or complicate local decisions.
Critchfield launched the application, with State Board of Education support, after consulting with district and charter leaders. A workgroup and a public comment period helped shape the proposal. The State Board approved the waiver request in April.
The waiver preserves accountability while reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, State Board President Kurt Liebich said in a news release issued late Friday afternoon. “Idaho’s education system is strongest when we trust local educators and communities to meet the unique needs of their students.”
The waiver reflects Idaho’s focus on local control, Critchfield said in the news release. “This is an opportunity for Idaho to make decisions based on the unique needs of Idaho students, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all federal requirements.”
Federal officials will require annual reports tracking how districts use the flexibility and whether it improves student outcomes.
