Indiana says new federal education waiver will ease reporting burden, provide flexibility

June 19, 2026 - 18:25

Indiana has secured a waiver from federal education rules, a move state officials say will cut down on paperwork and give local schools more freedom in how they use federal funds. The U.S. Department of Education approved the request, which relaxes restrictions tied to millions of dollars in federal aid. State education leaders argued that the previous requirements forced districts to spend too much time on compliance reports instead of focusing on classroom needs.

Under the waiver, Indiana schools will have greater flexibility in allocating money from key federal programs, including those aimed at supporting low-income students and improving teacher quality. Instead of following rigid federal formulas, the state can now shift resources to areas it deems most urgent, such as early literacy or career training. Officials stressed that the change does not reduce total funding but rather how it can be applied.

The announcement comes as part of a broader push by the state to streamline education bureaucracy. Governor Eric Holcomb called the waiver a win for common sense, saying it empowers local leaders to make decisions based on what works in their communities. Critics, however, have raised concerns that looser oversight could lead to funds being diverted away from the students who need them most. The state plans to track outcomes closely to ensure accountability remains intact.