Sánchez to Trump administration: Restore grants for community college teaching programs
WASHINGTON – RealEstateRama – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today demanded answers from the Trump administration on why it cut $600 million without notice for teaching preparedness programs at community colleges nationwide.
These grants are intended to strengthen teacher preparedness in higher education institutions, improve student outcomes and recruit qualified individuals into the teaching profession. Community colleges in Southern California use this funding to recruit and train teachers within their own communities, fostering collaboration between higher education institutions and K-12 schools in preparing future educators.
“The Department of Education’s press release on this topic provided very little information about the reasons for these cuts,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “The department’s assertion that these programs provide ‘inappropriate’ and ‘unnecessary’ topics is false and offensive. The release asserted that these programs were “divisive,’ though the examples listed contain professional development workshops and best practices fitting of those going through the training to become an educator.
“I am concerned that these programs have been eliminated without regard for the effects on students in my district and across California.”
The full text of the letter is available here and follows:
February 21, 2025
The Honorable Denise Carter
Acting Secretary
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20003
Dear Acting Secretary Carter,
As the Member of Congress representing California’s 38th district, I write to you expressing serious objections to the elimination of one of the Teacher Quality Partnerships (TPQ) federal grant to the Center for Collaborative Education, among countless others. This specific grant program partnered with Inglewood USD, El Monte USD, Los Angeles USD, ABC USD, Green Dot Charter School, El Camino College, Rio Hondo College, West LA College, and Cerritos College to address teacher preparation in Southern Los Angeles.
These grants are aimed at strengthening teacher preparedness in higher learning institutions, improving student outcomes, and recruiting qualified individuals into the teaching force. The community colleges listed use this grant to recruit and train teachers within their own community, allowing for higher education institutions to collaborate with K-12 schools in training future educators. Each of these colleges host a “Grow Your Own Teacher Pathway” aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified teachers across Los Angeles, offering supportive services and mentoring for future teachers. This specific grant was awarded in 2023 during a teacher shortage in Los Angeles which left some of the highest need campuses in Los Angeles and the surrounding districts understaffed. Eliminating grants used for the express purpose of educating and recruiting teachers to improve student outcomes is and will cause negative outcomes for the students of Southern California.
The Department of Education’s press release on this topic provided very little information about the reasons for these cuts. The Department’s assertion that these programs provide “inappropriate” and “unnecessary” topics is false and offensive. The release asserted that these programs were “divisive,” though the examples listed contain professional development workshops and best practices fitting of those going through the training to become an educator.
I am concerned that these programs have been eliminated without regard for the effects on students in my district and across California. I urge you to reevaluate the elimination of this grant, along with the other eliminated grants to ensure that their cancelation will not harm students and institutions.
Additionally, there has been very little context given to the grant recipients about why these grants were eliminated halfway through their 5-year cycle. I request that you provide written answers to the following questions about this grant and others by March 7, 2025:
- Please describe the process employed in reviewing the grants eliminated by the Department of Education for being “divisive.”
a. Please list those in charge of making these decisions. Are they from DOGE or are they Department of Education employees?
- Please list all programs which were included in the $600 million worth of cuts for the Department of Education.
a. Please provide an analysis of the impact of each cancelation on students, educators, and institutions.
- Please provide concrete reasons for the suspension or termination of all grant funds.
- Please provide proof that these cancelations were compliant with the guidelines in Sec. 455 of the General Education Provisions Act, which require written notice of intent to withhold funds, the factual and legal basis of the grant recipient’s failure to comply with the law, and an opportunity for a hearing.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you shortly regarding these vital programs.
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez
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