Iowa State Government

On Jan. 7, 2026, Trump administration official Linda McMahon approved a waiver allowing Iowa to pool about $9.5 million from four federal programs (teacher training, English learners, after‑school, academic enrichment) into a single pot through September 2028, a change the state says will save roughly $8 million in staff time and mainly affects funds used by the state education agency rather than the larger sums sent directly to more than 300 local school districts. McMahon framed the waivers as returning education to the states, while Democrats warned that block‑grant style waivers could harm low‑income students and English learners; Indiana and Kansas have already applied for similar waivers, others have shown interest, and Iowa’s initial March proposal to combine 10 funding sources (including district funds) was scaled back before approval.