Daily Journal

Sometime this month, Indiana will ask the Trump administration for unprecedented flexibility in how it funds and evaluates schools. The state wants to receive its federal education funding in block grants, and in turn give the money to schools to spend with fewer strings attached. The potential change is meant to reduce bureaucracy, state officials have said, and allow both the state and school districts to direct the funding to their top goals. It’s welcomed by the U.S. Department of Education, and in line with the Trump administration’s stated goal to give states more oversight of education. But education advocates worry the state’s plan will take money away from student groups that often need a lot of support, like rural students and English learner students, as well as underperforming schools. Moreover, they say Indiana can already use flexibility in federal law to combine some funds and streamline accountability without seeking a waiver from accompanying regulations. 

“The state has not demonstrated why additional flexibility is needed beyond what already exists, particularly when that additional flexibility would primarily impact funding specifically designated for at-risk students, English learners, and rural students,” said joint comments from groups including All4Ed, EdTrust, and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.