Flexible spending of education money puts trust in schools Since President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society in the 1960s, most federal aid programs have been targeted. This was particularly true in education. While social outlooks changed, Congress didn't.
Much federal aid remains specific.
But the reins have loosened under the Republicans. Block grants have increased. And now a program to provide flexibility in spending education aid is spreading quickly. The idea was conceived by Delaware's Rep. Michael N.Castle, and he was on hand Tuesday as Gov. Minner and state Secretary of Education Valerie Woodruff added Delaware to the list of states employing what's called Education Flexibility or Ed-Flex for short. The program reduces the red tape that always accompanies money from Washington, and within limits gives local school districts authority to decide how to best spend selected federal funds.