Many indicators point to block grants as a mechanism that the Trump administration may use to help achieve government efficiency in many areas of the federal budget, including public education.

As state education leaders adapt to an evolving funding landscape, block grants offer an opportunity to align resources with states’ goals to support students.

This policy brief provides state education leaders with an overview of how block grants work and presents four recommendations for how states can maximize their use:

  • Set clear goals and outcomes that lead to meaningful allocation.
  • Reimagine accountability through rapid innovation and engineered quality improvement.
  • Communicate clearly with the public about the value and impact of block grant funds.
  • Build systems for interagency collaboration.