Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) approved Louisiana’s Returning Education to the States Waiver, empowering State education officials with greater discretion over their federal education dollars. Louisiana is the second state to receive this waiver, which will allow state leaders to focus federal dollars on efforts that best improve student academic achievement.
Louisiana’s waiver mirrors Iowa’s request to consolidate state activities funds and direct more federal resources to improve student achievement rather than federal compliance – freeing more than $18 million from bureaucratic red tape to the classroom through 2029.This approach will give Louisiana more flexibility to make strategic decisions about how funds are used, ensuring resources directly support students and schools.
“Today’s approval of Louisiana’s Returning Education to the States Waiver is a decisive step in empowering state leaders who are urgently working to improve student achievement,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “After implementing evidence-based reforms grounded in the Science of Reading, Louisiana has made some of the strongest literacy gains in the country, underscoring the impact that disciplined leadership can make when given the freedom to innovate. With this new flexibility, the Bayou State is well-positioned to accelerate their remarkable progress, cut through red tape, and drive even stronger results for students and families.”
“Louisiana is leading the nation in academic progress because we made strategic, student-centered investments,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. “We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education for recognizing our results and trusting us to continue making the best decisions for the children of our state.”
The Department is currently engaging in conversations with ten states about leveraging existing statutory flexibilities and potential waiver requests to support returning education to the states for the benefit of students.
Background:
When the existing statutory flexibilities for states, districts, and schools are insufficient, Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 as amended (ESEA), allows states and tribes to submit requests to the Secretary to waive statutory or regulatory requirements. These waiver requests are subject to certain restrictions in law and must justify how the waiver will improve student outcomes.
The Louisiana Department of Education submitted a waiver request seeking to reduce administrative burden and more effectively align programs with the needs of Louisiana students. With the U.S. Department of Education’s approval, they can consolidate federal state activities funds through FY2029, more than $18 million in federal funds. Louisiana will continue to account for the administrative and state activities funds separately.
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.