FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The Department of Education is slashing federal regulations that could hinder states from improving their schools, the administration’s latest move in its dismantling of the agency and its effort to return education policy to the states. The Education Department has approved Education Flexibility applications for the states of Florida and Illinois, meaning they now can waive statutory or regulatory requirements for school districts without first having to submit those waivers to the federal government for review and approval. A total of 18 states have now opted into the program that seeks to give state and local education departments more authority over efforts to reform schools. The department also sent guidance to all chief state school officers that grants them freedom to move federal funds between programs, to better meet state and local needs. Small, rural schools will also gain more flexibility to use funds how they see fit. The letter builds on guidance that the department sent to states in July encouraging chief state school officers to implement existing statutory flexibilities and seek waivers from burdensome statutory and regulatory provisions.   Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, called this a “bold step forward in strengthening states’ ability to fully harness the flexibilities already at their fingertips in support of better serving students, families, educators, and communities.” “With a record 18 states now taking advantage of Ed-Flex authority, we urge state leaders to build on this momentum by adopting forward‑leaning strategies that move decision-making closer to the classroom and elevate the power of local leadership,” she said.