NEW JERSEY SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR GUTTING TEACHER TRAINING GRANTS, JEOPARDIZING CLASSROOMS NATIONWIDE

New Jersey Co-Leads Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Unlawful Termination of Teacher Training Grants

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that the state, alongside California and Massachusetts, is co-leading a lawsuit against the Trump administration for its abrupt and unlawful termination of U.S. Education Department (USED) grants that support teacher preparation programs.

The lawsuit challenges the administration’s decision to eliminate funding critical to addressing the nationwide shortage of qualified K-12 teachers—especially in high-need subjects like math and special education.

Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the significance of these grants in maintaining New Jersey’s top-tier education system.

“New Jersey prides itself on having one of the best education systems in the nation, thanks to our dedicated and highly qualified teachers,” Murphy stated. “The Teacher Quality Partnership grants are essential to ensuring we continue to cultivate exceptional educators. I commend Attorney General Platkin for standing up against this unlawful action by the Trump Administration.”

Attorney General Platkin warned of the far-reaching consequences of these cuts.

“We should be encouraging more individuals to join the teaching profession, not putting up roadblocks,” said Platkin. “This decision doesn’t just harm teachers—it deprives students of the education they deserve. The Trump Administration cannot bypass Congress and unilaterally strip funding from programs designed to combat the teacher shortage. This is not only harmful; it is unlawful. We are fighting to protect educators, students, and families across New Jersey.”

Impact on New Jersey Schools

The funding cuts directly affect New Jersey institutions, including Montclair State University (MSU) and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), both of which relied on these grants to train and place teachers in local school districts.

• MSU was using the funding to prepare future educators for Newark and Orange public schools.
• TCNJ was running a residency program designed to place new teachers in classrooms by Fall 2025.

Beyond New Jersey, the national impact is severe. In 2024, over 400,000 teaching positions were either vacant or filled by uncertified instructors, leading to larger class sizes, canceled courses, and understaffed classrooms. Like many states, New Jersey has struggled with shortages in key subjects such as math, science, and world languages—areas these grants were specifically designed to support.

Legal Action to Restore Funding

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the lawsuit argues that the grant terminations violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). It seeks a permanent injunction to prevent further disruptions to these essential programs and calls on the court to declare the cancellations unlawful.

If successful, the lawsuit could restore funding, ensuring that teacher trainees remain on track to enter classrooms and help address the nation’s ongoing teacher shortage.