The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has granted preliminary approval of Oklahoma waivers allowing public school districts greater flexibility in the spending of existing federal funds.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) received notification by USDE that it had been approved.

The waivers allow schools to repurpose existing K-12 education funds for a number of COVID-19-related matters, including technology infrastructure and teacher training on distance learning.

Waivers involve safety, health, technology, professional development and other federal limits. Oklahoma districts may immediately begin implementing matters under the waiver.