By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that the state is co-leading a lawsuit with California and Massachusetts against the Trump administration for its abrupt and unlawful termination of U.S. Education Department (USED) grants that support teacher preparation programs.
The lawsuit challenges the administration’s decision to cut funding that helps address the national shortage of qualified K-12 teachers, particularly in critical subjects such as math and special education. 
Governor Phil Murphy underscored the importance of these grants in maintaining New Jersey’s high education standards.
“New Jersey prides itself on having one of the top education systems in the nation, thanks to the dedication and quality of our teachers,” Murphy stated.
“The Teacher Quality Partnership grants help ensure we continue to have exceptional educators, and I applaud Attorney General Platkin for taking a stand against this unlawful action by the Trump Administration.”
Attorney General Platkin emphasized the far-reaching consequences of the funding cuts.
“We need to encourage more individuals to enter the teaching profession, not create barriers,” said Platkin. “The Trump Administration’s decision will not only hurt teachers but also deprive students of the education they deserve. This action is not just harmful—it is unlawful. The administration cannot bypass Congress and unilaterally strip funding from programs designed to address the teacher shortage. We are fighting to protect educators, students, and families in our state.”
The funding cuts directly impact New Jersey institutions, including Montclair State University (MSU) and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), both of which were using these grants to train and place teachers in local school districts.
MSU was supporting future educators in Newark and Orange public schools, while TCNJ was running a residency program preparing teachers set to enter classrooms by Fall 2025.
The broader impact of these cuts is significant, as the country continues to struggle with a major teacher shortage.
In 2024, more than 400,000 teaching positions nationwide were either vacant or filled by uncertified instructors, leading to larger class sizes, canceled courses, and understaffed classrooms.
New Jersey, like many states, has seen shortages in subjects such as math, science, and world languages—areas that the terminated grants were helping to address.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues that the terminations violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
It seeks a permanent injunction to prevent further disruptions to these essential programs and asks the court to declare the grant cancellations unlawful.
If successful, the lawsuit could restore funding and ensure that teacher trainees remain on track to support classrooms across the nation.