Representational (AI generated)

On Monday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore, at least temporarily, millions of dollars in grant funds that were cut last month from three key programs supporting teacher preparation initiatives across the country.
US District Judge Julie Rubin in Maryland ruled that the US Department of Education’s termination of these grants was “likely to be proven arbitrary and capricious” because it was unreasonable, lacked proper justification, and was based on factors Congress had not intended the Department to consider. The decision, which stated that the terminations were “otherwise not in accordance with law,” was first reported by CNBC.
The court issued a preliminary injunction against the grant terminations, warning of “a grave effect on the public” if the funds remained frozen, as reported by Education Week.
The lawsuit against the US Department of Education and President Donald Trump was filed earlier this month by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the National Center for Teacher Residencies, and the Maryland Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. They challenged the administration’s decision to terminate more than 100 educator preparation grants, as reported by CNBC.
“At a time when we as a nation are enduring local teacher shortages, especially in critical areas of need, we must not fall short in supporting the preparation of teachers,” Campbell said in a statement. “That’s why this ruling is paramount in supporting current and future teachers of the education field,” as reported by CNBC.
Meanwhile, a separate court order last week from a different judge ordered the restoration of teacher-preparation grant funds in eight states. The Trump administration unsuccessfully attempted to pause that ruling, though some grantees in those states have yet to receive their funding, as reported by Education Week.
In recent years, federal funds were awarded to colleges, universities, school districts, and nonprofit organizations through three key grant programs: SEED (Seeking Effective Educator Development), TQP (Teacher Quality Partnership), and TSL (Teacher and School Leader) Development. These congressionally mandated programs receive funding directly from Congress, and while the executive branch has some authority to adjust grant priorities, it must follow specific legal procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act.
However, in mid-February, the Trump administration abruptly terminated these grants, likely violating federal law, as stated in a court order. Recipients received letters from the Education Department informing them that their contracts had been immediately canceled, citing that the grants were “inconsistent with, and no longer effectuate, Department priorities.”
The court’s recent rulings could lead to a reversal of these terminations, ensuring continued funding for teacher-preparation programs nationwide.