Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, announced the federal approval of Arkansas' Returning Education to the States Waiver, its application for Ed-Flex authority, and amendments to its federal accountability plan in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
These approvals grant Arkansas increased flexibility to diminish federal bureaucracy, streamline education funding, enhance accountability, and empower local schools to better address student needs. The waiver allows the Arkansas Department of Education to consolidate multiple federal funding streams, directing more resources towards student achievement rather than administrative overhead.
Specifically, the waiver will consolidate four federal funding streams, expand Alternative Fund Use Authority to more rural school districts, simplify accountability for advanced students, and improve accountability by counting students in alternative learning environments with their home schools. This creates a more accurate picture of long-term student outcomes.
Governor Sanders said, “Arkansas has proven that when you trust parents, empower teachers, and put students ahead of bureaucracy, kids succeed.” She added, “This approval gives us even more freedom to cut red tape, put education dollars where they belong—in the classroom—and continue building the best education system in America.” Secretary McMahon echoed this sentiment, saying, “Arkansas is doing exactly what returning education to the states is meant to accomplish: giving students a better shot at success by trusting the people closest to them.”
Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva stated, “Today, Arkansas is reclaiming education — and we're grateful to have a friendly administration that empowers states to lead.” He noted that the state's LEARNS Act, signed in 2023, has already led to expanded school choice, increased teacher pay, and improved student proficiency, as evidenced by recent ATLAS assessment results showing a statewide increase of over 20% since 2024.
This approval enables Arkansas to further align federal education programs with its student-first approach, fostering local flexibility and strengthening accountability.