Iowa’s Unified Allocation Plan receives first-in-the-nation approval

Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced that Iowa is the first state in the nation to receive federal approval of critical steps to redirect federal resources from compliance to the classroom in its innovative Unified Allocation Plan.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon made the announcement at Broadway Elementary School in Denison, Iowa, alongside Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow, as part of her Returning Education to the States Tour. Iowa is the first state in the nation to receive a "Returning Education to the States" federal waiver approval.

"This announcement marks an important step toward returning education to the states and putting students first," Governor Reynolds said. "As the first state in the nation to submit a Unified Allocation Plan, and to receive these waivers, Iowa now has greater flexibility to focus federal resources on what drives student success, and we're well positioned to do so. I look forward to continuing to improve student outcomes, reduce red tape for schools, support teachers, and ensure federal education dollars are focused toward state and local priorities where they make the greatest difference."

Today's approval marks the first step in fully realizing Iowa's comprehensive Unified Allocation Plan, providing flexibility of certain requirements under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA). Iowa's first-in-the-nation plan seeks to focus more federal resources on improving student achievement over federal compliance. The flexibilities provided by the waiver announced today will reduce some of these compliance costs, allowing nearly $8 million in time and resources to be redirected from compliance to the classroom over four years.

"Recognizing the remarkable results Iowa has delivered for students over the past two years, we are honored to be the first state in the nation to forge this path forward, aligning federal resources to what's working in Iowa, expanding local flexibility to best serve students most in need of support, and rightsizing administrative workloads," said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. "We are grateful to each of the administrators, teachers, and Iowans whose experience and expertise shaped Iowa's innovative Unified Allocation Plan, which reflects our collective focus on accountability for student outcomes. Alongside them and the U.S. Department of Education, we look forward to continuing our work to refocus federal resources on their true purpose-the success of all learners."

More information can be found on the Department's 2025 Iowa Unified Allocation Plan webpage. A copy of the approval letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon will also be posted.