BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday struck down a 2025 order from the Trump administration that cut hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training money.
U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Massachusetts wrote in her order that the Education Department's directive violated federal law and was arbitrary and capricious.
In February 2025, the Education Department cut about $600 million in grants for teacher training, characterizing them as supporting “ divisive ideologies ” such as diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The grants were intended to address teacher shortages.
The Education Department's order was hasty, Kelley wrote. The administration did not follow requirements in the law for giving notice or accepting comments about a proposal, she said. She said they also didn’t take into account just how much the states and a wide array of students, teachers and principals rely on these grants.
“In short, the reliance interests are many, substantial, and deep-rooted,” Kelley wrote.
Her ruling does not restore the grant money. She writes that arguments related to recovering that funding need to be brought in the Court of Federal Claims.
The Education Department did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment.
The directive had stripped the majority of funding to the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development, effecting more than 100 programs. Eight Democratic-led states sued, saying the cuts were likely driven by efforts from the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and a federal judge in Boston temporarily halted the cuts.
The federal appeals court in Boston turned away an appeal from the administration to allow them to resume.
But in April 2025, the Supreme Court ruled the government could cut the grants while the case proceeds. The high court’s conservative majority wrote states could keep the programs running with their own money for now, despite the judge in Boston saying that the programs already were being effected.
The states have argued that the grants help develop teachers in crucial areas such as math, science and special education, and that data has shown they help to boost teacher retention rates and ensure educators remain in the profession beyond five years.
FILE - The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Education, March 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit his 40th home run, one of five Houston long balls, and the Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Thursday night to move back over .500 and open a one-game lead over Texas in AL West.
Jeremy Peña hit a first-inning homer for Houston, and Daulton Varsho, Lamonte Wade Jr. and Taylor Trammell also had solo home runs as the Astros hit a season-high five.
Houston (77-76), which has held at least a share of first since July 31, moved back into sole possession of the lead when Texas (76-77) wasted a eighth-inning lead in a 4-3 loss to Boston. The Astros hold the tiebreaker.
Peña reached 20 homers for the first time since his rookie season in 2022, connecting on the first pitch from Seth Lugo for his sixth leadoff home run this season. Peña added an RBI single in the sixth.
Varsho homered in the second, and Wade and Alvarez in a three-pitch span in the fifth. Alvarez is one home run behind Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero, the AL leader.
Bryan King (3-5) retired four straight batters. Ethan Pecko entered to start the third and allowed one run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings, retiring 15 of his first 16 batters.
Josh Hader pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, finishing a three-hitter and lowering his ERA to 0.83.
Maikel Garcia hit a first-inning, run-scoring double play grounder for the Royals following a pair of walks and a hit batter.
Lugo (7-9) tied his career high by allowing four homers, all solo shots.
Royals: RHP Randy Dobnak (3-4, 2.73 ERA) pitches Friday at Pittsburgh. The Pirates start RHP Paul Skenes (10-11, 3.78), who is 1-3 in his last nine starts,
Astros: RHP Peter Lambert (8-9, 3.71 ERA) seeks his first win since July 11 when he starts Friday against visiting Atlanta and RHP Tyler Mahle (6-10, 3.91).
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Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña (3) and Nick Allen (20) celebrate after a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner, left, slides home past New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez on a sac fly hit by Luis Arraez during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez watches his home run against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
