Federal Judge Overturns Trump Administration Cuts to Teacher Training Funds

September 18, 2026 - 05:42

A federal judge has struck down a 2025 order from the Trump administration that cut hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training money. The ruling, issued Thursday, states that the Education Department acted improperly when it terminated the grants, which had been awarded to universities, school districts, and nonprofit organizations across the country.

The funding was originally intended to support programs that recruit and prepare new teachers, especially in high-need subjects like math, science, and special education. Many of the grants had already been distributed and were in the middle of multi-year projects when the administration moved to cancel them earlier this year.

In the decision, the judge found that the department failed to provide adequate justification for ending the grants and did not follow required procedures. The ruling restores the funding and allows the affected programs to continue their work. Teacher groups and education advocates welcomed the decision, saying the cuts would have worsened shortages in schools that already struggle to hire qualified staff. The administration has not said whether it will appeal.