NCLD Joins AACTE in Amicus Brief Defending Educator Grant Programs as SCOTUS Ruling Delivers Setback to Students and Teachers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 9, 2025 — Last week, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) joined the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) in filing an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The brief urged the court to block efforts to withhold critical funding from three longstanding federal programs: the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED), Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grants, and the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program (TSL).

On Friday, in a related case, the Supreme Court delivered a 5–4 decision siding with the administration, allowing the federal government to continue withholding $65 million in SEED and TQP grant funding—funds that a lower court order had reinstated. This decision marks a major step in the administration’s broader effort to scale back federal investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion(DEI) across the government. The ruling stalls vital support for teacher preparation and professional development, especially for programs serving students with disabilities and schools in under-resourced communities. 

“This ruling is not just a legal setback—it’s a moral one,” said Jacqueline Rodriguez, Ph.D., CEO of NCLD. “These grants represent a promise to our educators and students. And while the court’s decision is deeply disappointing, it only strengthens our resolve to fight for what is right.”

The amicus brief, filed before the court’s decision, underscores that SEED, TQP, and TSL grants are not contracts but federal grants established by Congress to advance a public purpose. NCLD, AACTE, and fellow advocates argue that the administration’s decision to terminate these programs exceeds its authority and undermines longstanding legislative intent to improve educator quality nationwide.

“These programs work. They develop profession-ready teachers trained to serve all learners—including students with learning disabilities,” Rodriguez added. “Cutting them off—without justification or process—hurts students already navigating systemic barriers to success.”

NCLD’s legal and advocacy efforts remain focused on protecting equitable access to high-quality education. The organization stands united with Massachusetts, California, AACTE, the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), and others in the ongoing legal and public fight for inclusive, evidence-based educator preparation programs. 

“We are galvanized in community, not discouraged by this decision,” said Rodriguez. “We will continue this fight—with our partners, with educators, and with families—because every student deserves access to a teacher prepared to meet their needs.”

To read the full amicus brief filed with AACTE, here..