Federal Court Blocks Trump Admin’s Termination of Teacher Grants in New Jersey, Beyond

NEW JERSEY - A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump Administration’s abrupt termination of teacher preparation grants, preserving critical funding for programs that train and place teachers in K-12 classrooms across New Jersey and the nation. The ruling, issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, grants a temporary restraining order (TRO) while a broader legal challenge unfolds.

The lawsuit, co-led by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, argues that the February 7, 2025, decision by the U.S. Department of Education to revoke Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grants violates federal law. These grants were designed to address the growing teacher shortage by training and retaining educators, particularly in math, science, and special education, and in understaffed rural and urban school districts.

“I am glad the Court has stopped the Trump Administration’s unlawful attempt to deprive students in New Jersey of the best-in-the-nation education that they deserve,” said Attorney General Platkin. “President Trump is not a king, and he cannot unilaterally dismantle our education system. We will continue to fight this illegal action and protect our students, teachers, and schools.”

Impact on New Jersey Schools and Universities

The termination of these grants jeopardized hundreds of millions of dollars in funding nationwide, threatening both teacher training programs and staffing in schools already struggling with shortages. In New Jersey, two major institutions—Montclair State University (MSU) and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)—were among those directly impacted.

Montclair State University (MSU) has used TQP funds to train and recruit teachers for local school districts, including the Newark Board of Education and Orange Public Schools. Without these grants, many of these aspiring teachers could lose critical support, exacerbating shortages in key subjects.

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) was in the process of training educators in a teacher residency program. These future teachers, who were scheduled to graduate in Spring 2025, were poised to enter full-time teaching positions in the fall. Without funding, both the program and the students it serves face immediate disruption.

The sudden termination of the grants also posed a risk to university staff, potentially leading to layoffs and reduced hours for faculty and administrators involved in teacher training.

Legal Battle to Reinstate Funding

New Jersey joined forces with seven other states—California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin—in filing the lawsuit challenging the termination of these teacher grants. The coalition argues that the Department of Education’s decision was unlawful and that states and universities had already committed funding and resources based on these federal awards.

With the temporary restraining order now in place, the court has blocked the grant termination while states seek a preliminary injunction, which could further extend protections for these programs as litigation continues.

Growing Teacher Shortage

The case comes amid a nationwide teacher shortage, with more than 400,000 K-12 teaching positions either vacant or filled by uncertified teachers in 2024. The lack of trained teachers has led to larger class sizes, canceled courses, and lower educational quality, particularly in high-need subjects and underserved communities.

The TQP and SEED grants were created by Congress specifically to help address this shortage by funding teacher training, placement, and retention programs. Attorney General Platkin and his counterparts argue that terminating these grants without explanation or warning undermines efforts to build a sustainable teacher workforce.

Next Steps in the Lawsuit

The case is now moving forward with further legal proceedings. If the court grants a preliminary injunction, the Trump Administration could be barred from terminating the grants while the case is litigated.

In New Jersey, the lawsuit is handled by Deputy Attorneys General Jessica Palmer, Amanda Morejón, Lauren Van Driesen, and Elizabeth Walsh.

State officials and educators are urging the federal government to reinstate the grants permanently, arguing that long-term investment in teacher training is essential for ensuring quality education in public schools.

For now, the temporary court order ensures that New Jersey’s teacher preparation programs will continue operating—at least until a final legal decision is made.

For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!

Support your local news!