WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the termination of more than $600 million in grants to institutions and nonprofits.
In a statement on its website, the department cites the use of “taxpayer funds to train teachers and education agencies on divisive ideologies” as the reason for pulling funding.
High Point University and Winston-Salem State both have had grants impacted by the department’s cuts.
Winston-Salem TEACH, an initiative aimed at creating a pipeline of teachers for Title I schools that serve students in low-income areas, unexpectedly lost a majority of its funding
The program is a partnership between Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, Salem College and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and there are 13 teachers in training in this year’s cohort.
One participant, Kyla Dove, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Winston-Salem State before deciding to go back to earn her master’s degree and join the program to study special education.
“I’ve always wanted to be an educator. My mom is an educator, and I’ve always had a heart for children. I have a heart for diverse learners,” Dove explained while preparing for class.
Through this initiative, Dove is able to complete the 14-month license program and get supported with a stipend.
When she found out that funding for next year’s cohort had been cut, she was stunned.
“This program is really fit to close the gap on where our students are struggling at, so it just hurt my heart to see that because we need teachers to be highly trained and certified, which WS-TEACH is doing,” Dove said.
The program launched in 2022, and the grant covered funding until 2027.
A spokesperson for Winston-Salem State said administrators are working to find funds to save it from ending early.
In May, the UNC Board of Governors also revoked a diversity policy that covered 17 institutions.
To view the latest updates and statements from the Department of Education, click here to visit its website