Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, along with seven other attorneys general, has successfully obtained a temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. This order temporarily halts the Trump Administration's termination of K-12 teacher preparation pipeline grants. The decision reinstates hundreds of millions in funding to various programs nationwide, including over $6 million allocated to Massachusetts initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of licensed teachers in Springfield, Holyoke, and Boston.
AG Campbell led the coalition in filing a lawsuit against the termination of these funds last week. The group is now seeking a preliminary injunction to maintain this funding as legal proceedings continue.
"This order is a victory for our students, teachers and school districts, restoring funds to programs designed to address the ongoing teacher shortage in the Commonwealth, including those serving vulnerable students with special needs," stated AG Campbell. "As our lawsuit proceeds, I will continue to stand with and advocate for our students, teachers, and school districts as they work to increase the number of high-quality educators in our state and ensure our children thrive."
On February 7, 2025, the Department of Education ended numerous grants funded through Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development programs. These initiatives were authorized by Congress to provide grants nationwide that help alleviate teacher shortages by creating pathways for non-teachers to become certified educators. Such programs are essential for supporting rural and urban communities and difficult-to-fill subjects like math, science, and special education.
Among those affected by this funding cut is the University of Massachusetts' "Para to Teacher Program," which aims to mitigate shortages of licensed early childhood educators in Springfield and Holyoke schools where many students have high needs.
Boston Public Schools' "Teacher Pipeline Programs" also rely on these funds to address growing demands for multilingual and special education instructors. The cuts jeopardize at least three full-time positions supported by one grant meant for BPS bilingual paraeducators pursuing advanced degrees and licensure.
In 2024 alone, over 400,000 teaching positions across the United States were either vacant or filled by uncertified individuals—representing about one-eighth of all teaching roles nationally. Shortages often result in larger class sizes or less qualified instructors leading courses.
The lawsuit was co-led by AG Campbell alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin; it includes participation from attorneys general representing Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin.