A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Conclusion

The waiver authorities appear to be useful tools for promoting improved student achievement in a limited number of circumstances. At the same time, relatively few waivers have been requested from the Department or in Ed-Flex states, and the range of provisions waived is similarly small. Apparently, federal laws and regulations are not acting as barriers to state and local improvement initiatives, but instead appear to provide most states, school districts, and schools with enough flexibility to accomplish their objectives without waivers of federal requirements. Finally, the Department has observed that the use of the waiver authorities depends largely on how much the state promotes their use and on whether states and school districts are pursuing the kinds of school reforms that may require a waiver.

The flexibility provided through waivers is coupled with increased accountability for improving teaching and learning. This report has described the areas in which increased flexibility has been sought since enactment of the waiver authorities. Future reports to Congress will continue to provide information on the kinds of waivers requested and granted and will present information reported by states on improvements in teaching and learning under waivers

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[IV. The Department's Administration of the Waiver Authorities and ED-FLEX ]

[Appendix A]