Former President Donald Trump’s administration has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate a decision to cut hundreds of millions in teacher training funds, a move tied to his broader crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The request comes in response to a ruling by Boston-based U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, who ordered the Department of Education to restore grants that had been slashed in eight Democratic-led states.
The states—California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin—argued that the federal government had unlawfully revoked funding allocated by Congress to address teacher shortages, particularly in underserved and rural areas. The cuts effectively dismantled two key federal programs: the Teacher Quality Partnership and the Supporting Effective Educator Development grant programs.
In February, the Education Department announced the elimination of $600 million in funding, citing concerns over programs that it claimed promoted “divisive ideologies,” including DEI. Schools and organizations receiving these grants were informed via standardized letters that the department would no longer support initiatives perceived as promoting unlawful discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin.
Judge Joun, an appointee of President Joe Biden, ruled that the abrupt funding termination likely violated federal law by failing to assess individual programs before making the cuts. He warned that without immediate restoration, essential education programs relied upon by public schools, universities, educators, and students would be severely impacted.
Supporters of DEI initiatives argue that such programs help address systemic inequalities in education and employment, particularly for historically marginalized groups. Critics, however, contend that these efforts unfairly disadvantage certain demographics, particularly white individuals, in the name of correcting past injustices.
Trump, alongside billionaire advisor Elon Musk, has pledged to dismantle the Department of Education altogether as part of a broader strategy to shrink government spending and reduce the federal workforce. The Supreme Court’s decision on this appeal could have far-reaching implications for education policy and federal funding priorities.