Judge strikes down anti-DEI grant policy at Education Department
A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Education Department may not cut funding to teacher-training programs it had targeted as promoting so-called "divisive ideologies." In February 2025 the department moved to eliminate roughly $600 million in grants awarded through the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development programs.
Why It Matters
The decision preserves about $600 million in federal grants for teacher-preparation programs and limits the Education Department's ability to withhold funds on the basis of an administration's view that programs advance "divisive ideologies," shaping how future federal grant reviews may proceed.
Key Facts
- Court action: A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Education Department cannot cut money to certain teacher training programs.
- Department move: In February 2025 the Education Department sought to slash around $600 million in grants.
- Programs targeted: Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant programs.
- Reason cited by administration: The department argued the grants supported programs focused on "divisive ideologies."
- Judge identified: District Judge Angel issued the ruling (as reported).
A federal judge blocked an Education Department plan to withhold funding from teacher-preparation programs the department had flagged as promoting "divisive ideologies." The ruling, issued Thursday by District Judge Angel as reported, prevents the department from cutting grants awarded under two major educator-grant programs.
The department had moved in February 2025 to eliminate roughly $600 million in grants distributed through the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) programs. Those programs provide federal funds to universities and local partners for teacher training and preparation initiatives.
Officials in the administration argued the targeted grants supported programming that advanced what they described as "divisive ideologies," and used that rationale to justify rescinding the awards. The court ruling finds that the department cannot proceed with those cuts under the circumstances presented, effectively preserving the disputed funding for now.
The decision has immediate consequences for institutions and partnerships that rely on TQP and SEED grants for teacher training activities. It also limits the department's ability to use ideological criteria as a basis to revoke or withhold federal education grants in this instance, at least pending further legal developments.
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Original source: The Hill