Background
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is notifying the public and appropriate Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) of its intent to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Education for a 12-month Tydings waiver. This waiver, pursuant to section 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), seeks to extend the period of availability for FFY24/FY25 funding for the following programs:
- Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants
- Title I, Part C - Migrant Education Program
- Title I, Part D - The Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent or At Risk
- Title III, Part A - English Language Acquisition State Grants
- Title IV, Part A - Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program
Receipt of this waiver will extend the Encumbrance Deadline to September 30, 2027 and the Liquidation Deadline to December 15, 2027.
Purpose of the Request
Due to unforeseen implementation challenges from ongoing and compounding impacts on the timely obligation of funds at the State Education Agency (SEA) and LEA levels, additional time is needed to ensure that all awarded funds can be fully and appropriately obligated and liquidated in alignment with federal requirements and the intended purposes of the program. While the official end of ARP-ESSER funds has passed, LEAs continued to prioritize liquidation of those dollars through early 2025, which delayed planning and implementation efforts tied to FFY2024/FY25 ESEA formula funds. This delay was compounded by factors such as significant personnel turnover in key fiscal and programmatic roles across districts, slower-than-expected hiring pipelines, and increased costs associated with inflation and supply chain instability that required LEAs to revise budgets for federal programs.
The requested extension would adjust the obligation period through September 30, 2027, with liquidation completed by December 15, 2027.
The extended authority to obligate these funds will enable IDOE and its sub-recipients to increase the quality of instruction for students, improve their academic achievement, and continue to assist the same populations served by the programs for which the waiver is being requested in accordance with applicable program requirements. Approval of the waiver will ensure the continuity of critical educational supports and prevent the loss of federal funds that are still needed to serve eligible students and schools.
IDOE will continue targeted interventions to ensure more timely obligation moving forward, including:
- requiring quarterly fiscal reviews of LEA drawdowns and obligations,
- providing technical assistance and individualized support to districts with the largest remaining balances, and
- implementing additional guidance on allowable expenses to expedite fund usage.
In seeking this waiver, IDOE assures that it will:
- Use, and ensure that its subgrantees use, funds under the respective programs in accordance with the provisions of all applicable statutes, regulations, program plans, and applications not subject to these waivers.
- Work to mitigate, and ensure that its subgrantees work to mitigate, any negative effects that may occur as a result of the requested waivers.
- Provide the public and all LEAs in the state with notice of, and the opportunity to comment on, this request by posting information regarding the waiver request and the process for commenting on the state website in the manner in which the SEA customarily provides such notice and opportunity to comment.
Public Comment Instructions
As required, IDOE is seeking public comment on the waiver request will be accepted from August 4, 2026 through September 3, 2026. Comments will be included in IDOE’s submitted waiver request.