Rhode Island — Just days after a coalition of school districts, educators, and families filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful freeze of nearly $6 billion in federal education funding, the administration has released the funds intended to support the 2025–2026 school year. In light of this development, the coalition has withdrawn its motion for a preliminary injunction. The underlying lawsuit—Anchorage School District et al. v. Department of Education et al.—remains pending in federal district court in Rhode Island.

Plaintiff and co-counsel quotes are below:

Plaintiffs:

American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania:

“It’s a victory for our students and our schools that these funds have been released, but the fact of the matter is that the Trump-Vance administration had no legal authority to withhold these Congressionally-appropriated funds in the first place,” said Wendy G. Coleman, president of AFT Pennsylvania. “This administration shamefully continues to use our education system as a pawn in their political games, and AFT Pennsylvania will continue to fight back alongside our allies — and win — when the future of our students, our public schools, and our rights are on the line.”

Anchorage School District

“In Anchorage and across the country, students will start school with more certainty than they had just a couple of weeks ago. These funds mean teachers can prepare, programs can continue, and families can trust that public schools will meet their children’s needs. This win shows what is possible when local communities stand together and put children first,” said Jharrett Bryantt, Superintendent at Anchorage School District.

Florida Parent Teacher Association:

“We’re relieved these federal funds are being released, but the truth is it never should have come to this. Schools across Florida open in just a few days, and districts have been forced to plan without the full $396 million already approved by Congress. Educators are already stretched thin, families are juggling uncertainty, and this delay only added to the pressure. It put essential programs and positions at risk. Academic success should not have to come with uncertainty attached.The full $396 million designated for Florida’s schools was never enough to begin with, and having it withheld was a further insult to the students, families, and educators who rely on every dollar to make learning possible. Florida PTA joined this lawsuit because we refuse to stay silent when students are left behind. We do not sit back. We show up. And we need our communities to stay engaged, stay informed, and keep speaking out. Every child deserves stability, opportunity, and a fully funded education. That is what we are fighting for, and we are not done yet,” said Maxine Ann-Marie Lewers, President, Florida PTA, and Jude Bruno, President-Elect, Florida PTA.

Illinois Federation of Teachers:

“It should never have taken a lawsuit to force the Trump administration to follow the law and release critical education funds that were already promised,” said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery. “This delay was a blatant act of negligence that put students, families, and educators at risk. Schools were forced to plan without essential resources. Students in low-income communities, including English learners, were left behind. We are proud to have stood alongside educators, families, and school districts to fight back, and we will not stop until every student gets what they need to thrive.”

New York State United Teachers:

“The decision to release these funds affirms what we knew all along: this was an unlawful maneuver that jeopardized the educational futures of millions of children across this country. The strong and swift opposition from all sides of the country and political spectrum show that NYSUT’s foundational principle holds stronger than ever: Public schools unite us. If any administration tries to circumvent its obligations to our public schools and the students they serve, we ALL fight back. And while we celebrate this development, we remain vigilant. NYSUT will continue to stand on the front lines, defending our schools and students and ensuring that every child has access to the high-quality education they deserve,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person.

Florida Education Association:

“Public schools and the U.S. Department of Education exist because every child, in every state and neighborhood, has the right to a world-class public education that inspires them and allows them to grow and succeed. We are proud to stand in victory with the districts, educators and families who fought for the release of funds that our students need. Florida’s lawmakers already missed an opportunity to fully find public education in our state- and as children and educators return to the classroom, they are all feeling the weight of having to do more and more, with less and less. The future of our students matters- and the Florida Education Association will continue to fight at the state and the national level for our children and educators to have the support they deserve,” said Andrew Spar, President of Florida Education Association.

California Federation of Teachers:

“Today we are proud to stand alongside colleagues across the nation who came together to defend access to public education as the Trump Administration attempted to pad their billionaire buddy’s pockets at the expense of students. This lawsuit worked — it showed that when we unite to defend our classrooms, we win. Harming access to quality public education is not now and never will be a winning issue. Educators and classified professionals will never back down in the fight to ensure that every child in the country has access to a quality public education,” said Jeffery Freitas, President of CFT, A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals.

Texas American Federation of Teachers:

“The release of these funds is a reminder that we are stronger together and that standing up to bullies matters, whether they’re on the playground or in the White House. School districts, educators, and parents acted urgently and in unison for our kids’ best interests. That is a lesson to remember and replicate as the chaos continues at the Department of Education and the federal government. It is also a reminder that funding our schools should not be a partisan issue. We are grateful for the Republican representatives who spoke out against this unlawful funding freeze alongside Democrats. Texas AFT will fight every effort to undermine or penalize the 5.5 million kids who attend Texas public schools. We dream of a day when a Texas Republican in Congress might show that level of bipartisan outrage,” said  Zeph Capo, President of the Texas American Federation of Teachers

Co-Counsel: 

Democracy Forward: 

“The Trump-Vance administration sought to play a shell game with public education funds, and it lost. We are pleased that our clients and communities across the country have received necessary public education funds and that the administration has backed off its plans to hold back billions in educational resources,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “While we celebrate so many communities that spoke out and demanded that funding be restored, school districts, cities, states, and communities should not have to go to court as they did here from the President to do the right thing. These funds should never have been withheld in the first place.”

Jacobson Lawyers Group:

“We are proud to have stood with those school districts, unions, and organizations demanding that their students receive the support they were promised,” said Lynn Eisenberg, Partner at Jacobson Lawyers Group. “They should not have had to go to court for their students to receive the funds they need and deserve.”

DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens:

“My firm is honored to do what we can to protect students, and the teachers who give to them day after day. While I am grateful schools can continue to be supported in accordance with clear federal law, the federal government should never have threatened – and begun – to pull the rug out from under children and families. I’m glad we were able to prevent worse from happening,” said Miriam Weizenbaum, from DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens.