Overview

• The Trump administration cut $600 million in teacher training grants, citing concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
• Eight Democratic state attorneys general, including Colorado's Phil Weiser, have filed a lawsuit claiming the cuts violate federal law and harm rural education systems.
• The grants funded scholarships, teacher residencies, and professional development programs aimed at alleviating shortages in underserved areas.
• Programs like Colorado's NxtGEN, which trains teachers for rural schools, face significant disruptions, with unspent funds now at risk and future hiring in jeopardy.
• Critics argue the cuts undermine efforts to address critical staffing gaps, while the Department of Education has not commented on the pending litigation.