In a major win for educator preparation programs, a federal court has ruled that more than 100 grants supporting teacher training and development—unlawfully terminated by the Trump Administration—must be reinstated. This decision marks a significant moment in the fight for high-quality teacher preparation and equitable access to well-trained educators across the nation.
Why This Ruling Matters
The lawsuit, brought forward by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), and the Maryland Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE), challenged the Department of Education’s abrupt cancellation of grants under three critical federal programs:
- Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Program
- Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) Program
- Teacher and School Leader Incentive (TSL) Program
These grants provide essential funding for programs that recruit, prepare, and support future teachers—especially in high-need areas facing chronic teacher shortages. By cutting these funds, the Department of Education jeopardized the development of a strong and diverse educator workforce at a time when the profession is already struggling to attract and retain teachers.
The Court’s Decision: A Win for Schools and Communities
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ordered the Department of Education to:
✔️ Reinstate all SEED, TQP, and TSL grants within five business days
✔️ Restore the grants to their prior status, ensuring funds can be used without restrictions
✔️ Prevent the Department from unlawfully terminating these grants in the future
This ruling protects not only the plaintiffs but all grantees, preventing similar funding disruptions in the future.
Advocacy That Made the Difference
Education advocates hailed the decision as a critical step in protecting investments in teacher preparation.
AACTE President Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., celebrated the ruling, emphasizing its impact on strengthening the educator workforce:
“We are thrilled that the court has ruled in favor of preserving funding for TQP, SEED, and TSL grants, which have a transformative impact on our nation’s education system. This decision ensures that institutions, nonprofits, and partners can continue to address critical teacher shortages and provide every child with exceptional educators.”
Kathlene Campbell, Ph.D., CEO of NCTR, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of sustaining teacher pipelines:
“At a time when we are experiencing local teacher shortages—especially in high-need areas—this ruling is paramount. We must continue to support the preparation of teachers, ensuring they have the skills and resources to succeed and stay in the profession.”
What’s Next?
This ruling is a powerful reminder that advocacy works. MACTE President Laurie Mullen, Ph.D., noted that this victory highlights the importance of standing up for teacher education programs:
“This is a reminder that advocacy matters.”
The reinstated funding will once again flow to universities, nonprofits, and school districts that rely on these grants to train future educators, support mentorship programs, and provide professional development opportunities.
The Bigger Picture: Investing in the Future of Education
The fight for teacher preparation funding is part of a larger battle to ensure that all students—regardless of their zip code—have access to well-prepared, effective teachers. The court’s decision sends a clear message: teacher preparation programs are not expendable. Cutting their funding is not only unlawful but also undermines the success of students and schools across the country.
I believe that education policy should be driven by equity, research, and justice—not political whims. This ruling is a major step toward ensuring that future generations of students have access to well-trained teachers who can educate, empower, and inspire.
Stay Engaged
The fight for equitable teacher preparation is far from over. Share this victory, keep pushing for systemic changes, and demand continued investment in the programs that make a difference. Because when we invest in teachers, we invest in the future.
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