Maryland is providing $1 million in grants to 11 in-state colleges and universities with the goal of encouraging federal employees who were laid off under the Trump administration to earn teaching licenses.

The funding is available for training, licensure support and school district partnerships to help displaced federal workers who have bachelor’s degrees to become teachers, Gov. Wes Moore announced on May 27. The state had more than 1,600 teacher vacancies as of mid-March.

“This funding helps our federal workers land on their feet, while also addressing the teacher shortage throughout our state,” he said.

Maryland’s initiative follows the U.S. Department of Education’s decision in February to cancel $600 million for programs to bolster the teacher workforce. The administration cited references to diversity, equity and inclusion as objectionable.

K-12 Dive, June 3