Ashley Lopez and Sarat’ika Kelly

Safeguarding Maryland’s Educator Pipeline: A Response to FY 2026 Federal Budget Cuts

Safeguarding Maryland’s Educator Pipeline: A Response to FY 2026 Federal Budget Cuts

The Trump Administration’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 sends a troubling signal to educators and families across the country. It calls for deep cuts—or outright eliminations—of several federal programs that support teacher training, diversity, and development. The list includes the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP), the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence, Title II-A, and the IDEA Part D Personnel Preparation program. These aren’t just line items on a spreadsheet. They are lifelines for public education systems already stretched thin, particularly in states like Maryland.