US court blocks Trump’s attempt to stop teacher grant funding – The Times of India

A federal appeals court has dealt a significant setback to the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate funding for teacher preparation programs. The 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston upheld a lower court’s ruling, mandating that the US Department of Education continue financing grants aimed at supporting teacher recruitment and training. The decision ensures that institutions in eight Democratic-led states retain access to these crucial funds, which were previously targeted for termination as part of the administration’s broader rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Judge criticises lack of justification

In the ruling, US Circuit Judge William Kayatta stated that the Department of Education failed to provide a “proper explanation” for terminating the grants as reported by Reuters. The decision emphasised that halting these funds would lead to staff layoffs, program disruptions, and ultimately weaken teacher pipelines that Congress had intended to strengthen. Kayatta’s ruling was backed by a panel of three judges, all appointed by Democratic presidents.

States challenge grant termination

The lawsuit, spearheaded by New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts, challenged the Trump administration’s decision to revoke funding under the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development programs. These grants, designed to benefit institutions that train teachers for underserved educational agencies, were among over $600 million in funds the Department of Education canceled, citing concerns over “divisive ideologies.”

Trump administration’s push to restructure education

The ruling follows President Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federal education programs. A day before the court’s decision, Trump signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to dissolve the Education Department, shifting key responsibilities such as student loans and federal funding to other agencies. The administration has argued that programs promoting social justice, critical race theory, and anti-racism should not be federally funded.

Legal battles over teacher preparation programs

The court’s decision aligns with another recent ruling from a Maryland judge, who sided with advocacy groups representing teacher preparation programs and issued an injunction requiring the department to reinstate those grants. Meanwhile, a broader coalition of 20 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia have filed a separate case seeking to prevent the Trump administration from further dismantling the Education Department and laying off nearly half its workforce.

Implications for education policy

Friday’s ruling is seen as a significant setback for the Trump administration’s education policy overhaul. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin praised the decision, calling the administration’s cancellation of teacher training grants “shameful and illegal.” The Education Department has yet to comment on the ruling.
As legal challenges continue, the future of federal education funding and policy remains uncertain. However, the court’s ruling ensures, for now, that teacher preparation programs will continue receiving critical support, helping to address the ongoing teacher shortage across the country.