EDUCATIONAL FLEXIBILITY
(ED-FLEX) PROGRAM

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EDUCATION FLEXIBILITY PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 1999 (PL 106-25)

The Ed-Flex Partnership Act of 1999, as amended, requires that Ed-Flex States annually submit to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) a report that contains data on the waivers States granted under the Ed-Flex progam. This report also describes the result of State oversight of Ed-Flex waiver activities, and provides information on the impact of waivers on school and student performance.


2010-11 Reports

Narrative
(pdf, 58kb)

Data Tables
(xls, 32kb)


INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY FOR WAIVER OF CERTAIN FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Background

In April 1999 Congress passed, and the President signed, the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999, better known as Ed-Flex (Public Law 106-25). This legislation transferred authority for granting waivers of certain federal statutes and regulations from the U.S. Department of Education to state agencies that met certain requirements. North Carolina applied for and was granted authority to be an Ed-Flex state, and North Carolina's authority was extended in January 2006. Local education agencies wishing to waive certain federal statutes and regulations must apply to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Procedures and timelines follow.


Purpose

The purpose of providing flexibility is to improve the academic achievement of all students. Waiver requests should be designed to provide instructional opportunities to ensure that all students meet North Carolina's challenging state standards on state assessments.


Timelines

Ed-Flex Waiver Applications may be submitted at any time; however, it is recommended that local education agencies or public charter schools submit requests as early in the school year as possible. This will allow the Department of Public Instruction staff adequate time to review waivers and request additional information if needed. Please ensure that you allow sufficient time to complete the public notice and comment requirement. For information, contact Dr. Ken Kitch at kenneth.kitch@dpi.nc.gov.

  • Application for Ed-Flex Waiver of Federal Requirements
    (doc, 59kb)
  • Procedures for Granting Waivers
    (pdf, 98kb)


Programs Covered by Ex-flex Legislation

  • Title I, Part A of the No Child Left Behind Act (other than sections 1111 and 1116) (Improving the Academic Achievement of Disadvantaged Children)
  • Title I, Part B, Subpart 3 of the No Child Left Behind Act (Even Start Family Literacy Programs) (NOTE: Ed-Flex states may not waive requirements of the new Reading First or Early Reading First Programs (subparts 1 and 2 of Part B of Title I)
  • Title I, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act (Education of Migratory Children)
  • Title I, Part D of the No Child Left Behind Act (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk)
  • Title I, Part F of the No Child Left Behind Act (Comprehensive School Reform)
  • Title II, Part A, Subparts 2 and 3 of the No Child Left Behind Act (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting)
  • Title II, Part D, Subpart 1 of the No Child Left Behind Act (Enhancing Education through Technology)
  • Title III, Part B, Subpart 4 of the No Child Left Behind Act (Emergency Immigrant Education, if this program is funded)
  • Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1 of the No Child Left Behind Act (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities)
  • Title V, Part A of the No Child Left Behind Act (Innovative Programs)
  • The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act


Requirements That Cannot Be Waived:

  • Maintenance of effort
  • Comparability of services
  • Equitable participation of students and staff in private schools
  • Parental participation and involvement
  • Distribution of funds to states or to local education agencies
  • Serving eligible school attendance areas in rank order under section 1113(a) (3) of the ESEA
  • The selection of a school attendance area or school under subsections (a) and (b) of section 1113 of the ESEA, except that a state education agency may grant a waiver to allow a school attendance area or school to participate in activities under Part A of Title I of such Act if the percentage of children from low-income families in the attendance area of such school or who attend such school is not less than 10 percentage points below the lowest percentage of such children for any school attendance area or school of the local education agency that meets the requirements of subsections (a) and (b)
  • Supplement, not supplant
  • Applicable civil rights requirements
  • Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (section 444 of GEPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Act (PPRA)
  • Undermining of the underlying purposes of the statutory requirements of the program for which a waiver is being sought
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements

Questions? Please call Donna Brown at 919.807.3957 or e-mail her at donna.brown@dpi.nc.gov.