Dear AACTE members,
As we face these recent challenges, AACTE is poised to advocate for our profession, our students, and, most importantly, the children and communities we serve. Below is a broadly disseminated statement from AACTE.
We must continue to “shine a light” on our programs’ successes and the impact of “divesting” in educator preparation. Here are a couple of advocacy points to remember:
- Advocate for the importance of educator preparation by engaging with academic peers, parents, community leaders, legislators, and policymakers. Your voice matters.
- Highlight the successes of your programs, share stories demonstrating the impact of strong educator preparation on student success, and share stories of the harm grant funding cuts will do to future educators, research, and your training programs.
- Stay informed, stay engaged, and stand together.
AACTE is with you as we advocate for high-quality research and educator preparation programs. We are not planning to cancel any events related to grants or programs that the administration has paused or canceled. However, please consult your university’s general counsel or legal team to determine limitations.
AACTE Expresses Disappointment in Administration’s Decision to Cut Funding for Education Research and Training
(Feb. 14, 2025, Washington, D.C.) — AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) expresses profound disappointment in the Administration’s decision to terminate and discontinue work on several funding sources for education research and practice.
The decision undermines efforts to ensure that U.S. schools and communities have highly trained, well-qualified educators in the classroom, which is essential for student success. The programs affected, Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP), Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED), and the various grants funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) are critical to advancing our understanding of effective educator preparation models as well as understanding best practices for ensuring student learning.
High-quality teacher preparation is a cornerstone of a strong education system, and rigorous research and effective practice are essential to continuously improve and refine educator preparation programs. Eliminating funding for this vital work threatens student success, weakens community education systems, and undermines the nation’s long-term educational progress.
Additionally, the Administration’s cancelation of nearly $1.25 billion in IES contracts impacts the development and accessibility of research that improves higher education and provides publicly accessible data on U.S. postsecondary institutions. Research and evaluation in educator preparation is crucial for identifying the most effective teaching methodologies and ensuring teachers are ready to meet the diverse needs of students. Without sufficient funding for IES research projects, for instance, our member institutions’ capabilities to evaluate and enhance teacher training programs will be significantly compromised, resulting in long-term effects on student achievement and the development of the teaching workforce.
AACTE urges the administration and policymakers to reconsider this decision and restore funding for education research and practice. The future of our students depends on policies that support—not weaken—the foundation of effective teaching and learning. We remain committed to advocating for the resources necessary to prepare highly qualified educators, and we remain committed to upholding the quality of our education systems.