Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of eight attorneys general to oppose the Trump administration's decision to terminate grant funding for K-12 teacher preparation programs. Illinois institutions began receiving letters from the Department of Education in mid-February, indicating the termination of grants worth at least $13.4 million. These funds are crucial for addressing the state's ongoing teacher shortage through teacher preparation programs.
"Teacher preparation grants are a key tool to address the serious teacher shortage crisis that continues to affect school districts across Illinois," Raoul stated. "The Trump administration’s shortsighted and unlawful termination of these grants would lead to larger class sizes, less one-on-one time with students and limit the ability for teachers to prepare students for their futures."
Congress had established and allocated funding through the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development grant programs. These programs were designed to train teachers, create a new pipeline, and improve teacher quality. The U.S. Department of Education awarded funds under these programs to public universities, school districts, and associated nonprofits as mandated by Congress. They aim to create a pipeline for teachers serving rural and urban communities in hard-to-fill positions like math and science. The programs have reportedly increased teacher retention rates beyond the critical first five years.
Raoul and his colleagues argue that terminating these grants without warning violates the Administrative Procedure Act. They seek a temporary restraining order to prevent disruptions that would reduce the number of teachers and trainees in schools.
In Illinois, schools relying on these programs would feel immediate impacts from such terminations, potentially leading to layoffs or reduced hours for university staff as well as diminished support for aspiring teachers.
Programs affected include:
- Teacher Education Alliance Model ("TEAM"), which partners Cook County School District 104, Maywood–Melrose Park–Broadview School District 89, and Chicago State University with a goal of preparing 300 apprentice teachers for high-needs schools.
- Pre-Service Teaching Equity Project ("P-STEP"), created by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to recruit, prepare, develop, and retain strong teaching personnel by supporting 300 student teachers annually in hard-to-staff CPS schools.
In 2024, over 400,000 teaching positions nationwide were either vacant or filled by uncertified teachers—a situation affecting about one in eight teaching roles across the country. Such shortages can lead to larger class sizes or classes taught by less qualified individuals.
Joining Raoul in filing this lawsuit are attorneys general from California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Wisconsin.