Composite story
Judge vacates Education Department cuts to DEI-linked teacher-training grants
Boston, MassachusettsPublished 18 Sep 2026
U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley struck down a February 2025 directive that canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-preparation grants. The ruling does not restore the money.
On Sept. 17, 2026, Judge Angel Kelley in Boston vacated the Education Department’s February 2025 order terminating Teacher Quality Partnership and SEED grants the administration tied to DEI. Kelley found the directive arbitrary and capricious. Eight Democratic-led states had sued after about $600 million in awards were cut. The Supreme Court in 2025 had allowed the terminations to proceed while the case continued. Recovery of the funds, Kelley said, belongs in the Court of Federal Claims.
Disputed facts
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Disputed opinions
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Judge strikes down Trump policy that cut millions in teacher-training money
Published 17 Sep 2026 accessed 18 Sep 2026
Facts
The grants were intended to address teacher shortages.
Kelley's ruling does not restore the grant money.
Kelley wrote that the Education Department's order was hasty.
The directive affected more than 100 programs.
The federal appeals court in Boston turned away an administration appeal seeking to let the cuts resume.
The Supreme Court's conservative majority wrote that states could keep the programs running with their own money for now.
The states argued the grants help develop teachers in math, science, and special education.
The states argued data has shown the grants help boost teacher retention beyond five years.
Opinion
No opinion marked.
Judge blocks Education Dept teacher training funding cuts over DEI, anti-racism
Published 18 Sep 2026 accessed 18 Sep 2026
Facts
Kelley wrote that the department terminated grants with topics such as acknowledging racism and anti-racism.
Kelley cited the department's failure to explain the switch from grants that previously encouraged DEI programs.
Kelley wrote that those activities were expressly undertaken to oppose discrimination.
Kelley also objected to the directive because of its impact on teacher preparation.
In 2025 the Education Department said the funding cuts were directed at programs focused on critical race theory, DEI, social justice, anti-racism, white privilege, and white supremacy.
One grant application the department objected to required practitioners to take personal and institutional responsibility for systemic inequities such as racism.
Opinion
The Hill said the department cut grants it did not like.
US judge strikes down Education Department's anti-DEI grant policy
Published 17 Sep 2026 accessed 18 Sep 2026
Facts
Kelley said the policy provided no discernible criteria for which programs would be considered DEI and disfavored for funding.
Kelley wrote that the directive does not acknowledge that thousands of teachers and people in teacher-training pipelines would be affected, upending careers of needed educators.
Over 90 percent of grants in those programs were canceled as a result of the directive to terminate ones supporting DEI.
The 109 terminated grants included 40 awarded to universities and other institutions in the eight states.
The 6-3 conservative-majority Supreme Court put that reinstatement order on hold.
The states were led by California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Kelley said she retained the ability to determine whether the original February 2025 directive complied with the Administrative Procedure Act.
Kelley was appointed by President Joe Biden.
Opinion
No opinion marked.