US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 5891a

Definitions

In this Act:
(1)

Educational service agency; local educational agency; State educational agency; outlying area

section 7801 of this titleThe terms “educational service agency”, “local educational agency”, “State educational agency”, and “outlying area” have the meanings given the terms in .

(2)

Eligible school attendance area; school attendance area

section 6313(a)(2) of this titleThe terms “eligible school attendance area” and “school attendance area” have the meanings given the terms in .

(3)

Secretary

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Education.

(4)

State

The term “State” means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and each outlying area.

Pub. L. 106–25, § 3113 Stat. 42Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1076o115 Stat. 2092Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9207(a)129 Stat. 2141(, , ; (), , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 106–25113 Stat. 41section 1415 of this titlesection 5801 of this titleThis Act, referred to in text, is , , , known as the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999, which enacted sections 5891a and 5891b of this title, amended , and enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 1415 and 5891a of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1999 Amendment note set out under and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999, and not as part of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

Pub. L. 114–95section 7801 of this title2015—Par. (1). substituted “Educational service agency; local” for “Local” in heading and, in text, substituted “The terms ‘educational service agency’,” for “The terms” and made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to .

Pub. L. 107–1102002—Par. (1). substituted “7801” for “8801”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–95section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95section 6301 of this titleAmendment by effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–110section 5 of Pub. L. 107–110section 6301 of this titleAmendment by effective , except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Findings

Pub. L. 106–25, § 2113 Stat. 41

“Congress makes the following findings:
“(1)
States differ substantially in demographics, in school governance, and in school finance and funding. The administrative and funding mechanisms that help schools in one State improve may not prove successful in other States.
“(2)
20 U.S.C. 6301 Although the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [ et seq.] and other Federal education statutes afford flexibility to State educational agencies and local educational agencies in implementing Federal programs, certain requirements of Federal education statutes or regulations may impede local efforts to reform and improve education.
“(3)
By granting waivers of certain statutory and regulatory requirements, the Federal Government can remove impediments for local educational agencies in implementing educational reforms and raising the achievement levels of all children.
“(4)
State educational agencies are closer to local school systems, implement statewide educational reforms with both Federal and State funds, and are responsible for maintaining accountability for local activities consistent with State standards and assessment systems. Therefore, State educational agencies are often in the best position to align waivers of Federal and State requirements with State and local initiatives.
“(5)
20 U.S.C. 5891(e) The Education Flexibility Partnership Demonstration Act [former ] allows State educational agencies the flexibility to waive certain Federal requirements, along with related State requirements, but allows only 12 States to qualify for such waivers.
“(6)
20 U.S.C. 6601 Expansion of waiver authority will allow for the waiver of statutory and regulatory requirements that impede implementation of State and local educational improvement plans, or that unnecessarily burden program administration, while maintaining the intent and purposes of affected programs, such as the important focus on improving mathematics and science performance under title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [ et seq.] (Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program), and maintaining such fundamental requirements as those relating to civil rights, educational equity, and accountability.
“(7)
To achieve the State goals for the education of children in the State, the focus must be on results in raising the achievement of all students, not process.”
, , , provided that: