Policy, Data & Info

Ed-Flex Waiver Application 

Pea Ridge School District intends to apply to the Arkansas Department of Education for one or more waivers of federal requirements under the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 (20 U.S.C. § 5891b). Ed-Flex allows the Department to waive certain federal requirements for individual districts and schools so they can better meet local needs while remaining accountable for student performance. The district is requesting the following waivers: 

Time-and-Effort Certification Forms 

Federal requirement waived: 2 C.F.R. § 200.430(g) 

• Employees paid entirely by a single federal program must currently sign paperwork twice a year confirming how they spent their time. This flexibility removes the certification requirement for those employees. 
• Expected benefit for students: Staff and administrators spend less time on federal paperwork and more time supporting students and classrooms.

Title I, Part A — 15% Carryover Limitation 

Federal requirement waived: ESEA § 1127(a) 

• Title I, Part A provides extra funding for schools serving more students from low-income families. Normally, a district may carry no more than 15% of that funding into the next year. This flexibility lets the district carry over any amount. 
• Expected benefit for students: The district can combine funds across years for larger, sustained investments, such as a multi-year tutoring or literacy program, instead of rushing to spend by a deadline.

Title I, Part A — 125% Per-Pupil Allocation Rule 

Federal requirement waived: ESEA § 1113(c)(2)(A); 34 C.F.R. § 200.78(b) 

• Normally, when some schools have lower poverty rates, a district must give each Title I school at least 125% of its average per-student Title I amount. This flexibility lets the district set per-student amounts based on need rather than a fixed formula. 
• Expected benefit for students: Title I dollars can better align with student needs, directing more support to the schools and students who need it most.

Title I, Part A — 40% Schoolwide Eligibility Threshold 

Federal requirement waived: ESEA § 1114(a)(1) 

• Normally, a school needs a poverty rate of at least 40% to run a “schoolwide” Title I program, which lets it use Title I funds to benefit all students in the building rather than only identified students. This flexibility allows schools with a poverty rate below 40% to run a schoolwide program. 
• Expected benefit for students: More schools can use Title I funds flexibly to strengthen instruction for every student in the building. 

Title IV, Part A — Required Spending Categories 

Federal requirement waived: ESEA § 4106(e) 

• Normally, a district receiving $30,000 or more in Title IV-A funds must spend at least 20% on well-rounded education, at least 20% on safe and healthy students, and some amount on educational technology. This flexibility removes those minimums, allowing the district to set its own amounts. 
• Expected benefit for students: The district can direct Title IV-A funds to its highest-priority student needs rather than fixed percentages.

Parents, educators, school administrators, and other interested community members are invited to comment on this proposed waiver request. Comments may be submitted by completing this form. Comments will be accepted from September 2 through September 15. All comments received will be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Education with the district’s application.