NJ Joins Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Termination of Teacher Training Grants

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey has joined California and Massachusetts in leading a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration over its early termination of federal grants intended to support teacher preparation programs, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, seeks to reverse the decision by the U.S. Education Department (USED), which halted approximately $600 million in funding for two key federal programs—the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grants.

These grants are designed to address the national shortage of qualified K-12 teachers, particularly in high-need areas such as math, science, and special education. The attorneys general argue that the sudden and unexplained termination of funding violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and are seeking a permanent injunction to prevent further disruptions.

“New Jersey prides itself on having one of the premier education systems in the nation, and that is thanks to the quality of teachers we have in our state,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The Teacher Quality Partnership grants provided by the U.S. Department of Education help ensure our teachers remain the best-in-the-nation, allowing our future leaders to continue to receive the highest quality education possible. I thank Attorney General Platkin and his team for leading the fight for our state against yet another unlawful action by the Trump Administration.”

Impact on New Jersey Schools and Teacher Training

In New Jersey, two institutions with highly regarded teacher preparation programs—Montclair State University (MSU) and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)—were among those affected.

• Montclair State University (MSU) has used its TQP grant to recruit and train new educators for Newark Board of Education and Orange Public Schools, focusing on math, science, and special education.
• The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) was using its SEED funding to support a teacher residency program, where aspiring educators gain full-time classroom experience in partner schools. The sudden termination of funding threatens the graduation of teacher trainees who were expected to enter classrooms as full-time teachers in Fall 2025.

“We need more people to enter the teaching profession, not fewer, and this illegal action by the Trump Administration will harm not only teachers, but students in New Jersey who will be deprived of the education they are entitled to,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Not only does it defy common sense to end these programs, but the manner in which the Trump Administration did so is also unlawful. The president and his so-called efficiency experts cannot unilaterally take away the Congressional authority that created and funded these programs, and we are taking action to protect teachers, students, and families across our state.”

The National Teacher Shortage Crisis

The United States is facing an unprecedented teacher shortage, with more than 400,000 vacant or underfilled teaching positions in 2024—equivalent to one in eight teaching jobs. The lack of qualified educators has led to larger class sizes, course cancellations, and an increasing reliance on uncertified teachers.

In New Jersey, teacher shortages are particularly severe in subjects like math, science, world languages, and special education. The sudden loss of federal support for teacher training undermines ongoing efforts to recruit and retain educators, exacerbating challenges already faced by schools.

Legal Arguments and Goals of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit claims that the USED’s decision to revoke funding violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by:

1. Failing to provide a valid explanation for the terminations.
2. Disrupting already approved and funded programs that institutions had been relying on.
3. Harming efforts to address a critical teacher shortage, which the programs were specifically designed to mitigate.

The attorneys general are requesting the court to:

• Issue a permanent injunction to restore funding for affected institutions.
• Declare the terminations unlawful under the APA.

Multi-State Legal Action

In addition to New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts, the lawsuit is supported by Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin. The case is being handled in New Jersey by Deputy Attorneys General Jessica Palmer, Amanda Morejón, Lauren Van Driesen, and Elizabeth Walsh.

What’s Next?

As the case progresses, the affected universities, educators, and students await a resolution that could determine the future of teacher training pipelines in New Jersey and beyond. If the courts rule in favor of the states, it would reinstate federal funding for teacher preparation programs and ensure that institutions like MSU and TCNJ can continue to graduate certified educators ready to address the ongoing teacher shortage.

The lawsuit highlights the growing legal and political battles over federal education policy, with implications for schools, students, and communities nationwide.

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