U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Ed-Flex Approvals to Reach Historic 25-State Milestone

Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced the approval of Arizona, Nevada, and South Carolina’s Ed-Flex applications, marking a historic milestone as 25 states now have access to this flexibility. With half the nation participating, Ed-Flex is reshaping how education agencies respond to local needs and drive student academic achievement. 

Ed-Flex allows states to waive certain federal requirements that could hinder local efforts to improve education. Under this authority, state educational agencies (SEAs) can waive select statutory or regulatory requirements for districts and schools without first having to submit those waivers to the U.S. Department of Education for review and approval. For example, Ed-Flex states can allow districts flexibility on how to spend their Student Support and Academic Enrichment funds, releasing them from rigid spending caps. 

Today’s approval is another step in the Trump Administration’s mission to return education to the states. Half of states now have greater decision-making authority and autonomy over their districts and schools, empowering them to better respond to the needs of students and families. 

“Reaching 25 Ed-Flex states is a watershed moment that proves the paradigm is shifting in American education,” said Kirsten Baesler, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. “Innovation does not flow from top-down mandates, but rather it thrives when state and local leaders are given the regulatory freedom to adapt and respond directly to their students. This milestone is a call for every state leader to build on the momentum and prioritize placing decision-making where it belongs – closest to the student.”  

“This is a welcome decision that allows Arizona’s local district and charter schools to have more control over how they spend money for education,” said Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. “People at the local level have far more knowledge to make good decisions as opposed to out-of-state decision makers. Having Ed-Flex authority will result in better decisions and better use of federal funds to improve student achievement.” 

“The U.S. Department of Education’s approval of Ed-Flex for Nevada is an important step toward providing more flexibility for our districts and schools in the use of federal Title funding,” said Dr. Victor Wakefield, Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Nevada’s participation in Ed-Flex is the direct result of valuable feedback provided earlier this year during my statewide listening tour and complements broader efforts led by Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Legislature to modernize and streamline processes. Our shared goal is to focus time and resources on what matters most: high-quality teaching and learning.”  

“The best education policies don't create more hoops to jump through. They create more opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed. That's exactly what this flexibility allows us to do,” said Ellen Weaver, South Carolina Superintendent of Education. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for approving South Carolina's Ed-Flex application and for its confidence in our state's ability to responsibly leverage this flexibility to better support districts, empower educators, and keep the focus where it always belongs: on students and their success.” 

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14242, Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities. Since then, ED has taken steps to break up the federal education bureaucracy, expand education freedom, and empower states by sharing guidance and resources on existing flexibilities in statute to spend federal education dollars. 

ED sent a letter encouraging states to consider applying for Ed-Flex on September 17, 2025. To date, 25 states have Ed-Flex Authority. View the full list of participating states here.