The Education Department's report, "Teacher Jobs At Risk", reveals about 293,000 education jobs have been eliminated since 2008, amounting to 54 percent of the total losses in local governments nationwide. Because more budget cuts are expected at the state and local level, another 280,000 school positions could be lost in the next year.
As part of Obama's proposed American Jobs Act, the federal government would pump about $30 billion into state and local governments specifically to save jobs for teachers and school employees, while allowing school districts to rehire others who have been laid off. The Education Department estimates that money would save or add about 392,000 education jobs.
"Here in America, we are laying off teachers in droves. It makes no sense, and it has to stop," President Obama said in a speech in Texas yesterday. "Congress should pass this jobs bill so we can put our teachers back in the classroom where they belong."
When Obama unveiled his jobs plan in September, Rand Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, came out in strong support of the elements related to education. In addition to funding that will save education jobs, Obama has also proposed investing another $30 billion in modernizing, renovating and repairing 30,000 elementary and secondary schools across the country.
"The president wisely decided to invest in jobs and programs that will rebuild our nation to meet its promise and potential...This White House understands that teachers should be in their classrooms, not on the unemployment lines," Weingarten said in a statement. "Congress must pass this jobs package immediately so that students will have the teachers they need and fewer rundown schools."
