Eight States Sue U.S. Education Department Over $600M Teacher Grant Cuts

New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with a coalition of seven other states, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education for unlawfully cutting over $600 million in grants for teacher training programs authorized by Congress. The lawsuit claims that the termination of the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) programs will exacerbate teacher shortages in rural and urban schools. In a separate yet related action, the federal government has also canceled an additional $400 million in grants, specifically to Columbia University, citing antisemitism concerns. Critics, including Attorney General Rob Bonta from California, argue that withholding these funds is catastrophic for education and will lead to larger class sizes and fewer qualified teachers. The coalition seeks a temporary restraining order to restore funding and access to these vital programs. The Department of Education's actions are seen as a violation of the separation of powers, as funding decisions should lie with Congress, according to the plaintiffs.