Judge temporarily halts Trump plan to cut $600M for teacher training
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Plan to Cut Teacher Training Funds
A federal judge in Boston has put a stop to the Trump administration’s efforts to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for teacher training programs. The cuts were set to impact training programs designed to address the ongoing teacher shortage across the country.
U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled in favor of Colorado and seven other states that had requested a temporary restraining order to halt the cuts. The states contended that the reductions were likely part of the administration’s push to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The Education Department under President Trump has been undergoing significant changes, with numerous contracts being terminated as part of an overhaul deemed to be “woke” and wasteful.
The plaintiffs argued that the sudden termination of two key programs, the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development, in February was done without proper notice. These programs provided vital grants totaling over $600 million for teacher preparation programs, particularly in critical subject areas like math, science, and special education.
Joun, appointed by President Biden, found that the abrupt cancellations violated administrative law and put the states at risk of enduring harm as they were already forced to cancel training programs and lay off personnel.
Representatives from California and Massachusetts argued that the Education Department lacked the authority to cancel the grants and did not provide sufficient explanation for their actions. On the other hand, the government’s attorney defended the cancellations, citing concerns about potential violations of anti-discrimination laws and misalignment with department priorities.
The states involved in the lawsuit, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin, are now awaiting further legal proceedings to determine the fate of the frozen funds.
Associated Press writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.
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Originally Published: March 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM MDT
