U.S. Department of Education Approves Mississippi’s Returning Education to the States Waiver

Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) announced another victory in empowering states with greater education autonomy with the approval of Mississippi's Returning Education to the States (RES) Waiver. Mississippi is the seventh state to receive such a waiver, joining Iowa, Louisiana, Indiana, Vermont, Arkansas, and South Dakota in streamlining siloed state activities funds so states can better direct federal resources to their students' needs. 

This waiver allows Mississippi to consolidate $14 million in federal funds through 2029, which the state can then align with its state-level improvement priorities and strategic plan. Across the seven states approved for RES waivers, $123 million in federal funds will now be consolidated to better serve students and families.

This flexibility will empower Mississippi to strengthen statewide initiatives such as literacy improvement, enhance technical assistance to local educational agencies, and provide more responsive support based on district and student needs.

"For a state that knows exactly what it takes to defy expectations, this waiver is fuel for the next wave of homegrown innovation in Mississippi," said Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler. "Whether it's expanding on their historic investments in literacy or tackling the next frontier of classroom achievement, the Magnolia State has earned the right to lead its own progress. Congratulations to Mississippi on its comprehensive approach to leveraging this additional flexibility, aligning federal dollars to state priorities to better serve students and families." 

"The Mississippi Department of Education is appreciative of the U.S. Department of Education approving the Returning Education to the States waiver that will greatly benefit schools and districts in our state," said Dr. Lance Evans, State Superintendent of Education. "As a result of the carryover flexibilities and consolidation of state activity funds, MDE and local schools and districts will have more time to strategically obligate and utilize federal funds, complete planned activities, and ensure that available resources are directed toward meaningful supports for students, educators, schools, and districts."

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 specify how the waiver will improve student outcomes. 

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDOE) submitted a waiver request to consolidate state-level activities funds so MDOE can better prioritize improving student proficiency and growth in English Language Arts and mathematics; strengthening early literacy and numeracy efforts; supporting educators and school leaders; and expanding opportunities for college, career and military readiness.

With the U.S. Department of Education's approval, MDOE staff can focus on the quality of improvement activities, rather than logging hours spent administering different programs.  

Through this waiver, MDOE may consolidate State-level activities funds for the following programs: 

• Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction). 

• Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition). 

• Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment). 

• Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers). 

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. 

For more information on how the Department has empowered states in education, click here. 

Read the official letter to Superintendent Evans here.