Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s $600 Million Teacher-Training Grant Cuts

A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that canceled roughly $600 million in federal teacher-training grants, ruling that the Education Department acted unlawfully when it terminated funding under the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) programs.

U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley ruled Thursday that the department failed to follow required procedures and did not provide clear criteria for determining which programs supposedly promoted “divisive ideologies.” The grants had been targeted in February 2025 amid the administration’s broader effort to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The ruling affects more than 100 terminated grants. According to Reuters, 109 grants were canceled, including 40 awarded to universities and other institutions in the eight states that challenged the policy.

However, the decision does not automatically restore the $600 million. Judge Kelley said claims seeking recovery of the money must be pursued through the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

The Education Department defended its position, saying taxpayer money should support teacher preparation and retention rather than what it described as divisive ideology.

The case adds another major legal challenge to the Trump administration’s changes to federal education funding, with the fight over teacher-training grants continuing through the courts.

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