Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Upgrading Schools and Putting Teachers Back to Work | ED.gov Blog

Upgrading Schools and Putting Teachers Back to Work | ED.gov Blog:

Upgrading Schools and Putting Teachers Back to Work

Earlier today, Secretary Arne Duncan joined President Obama at Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School in Columbus, Ohio to highlight the American Jobs Act. The Act proposes a major investment that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools, and support 280,000 teacher jobs nationwide.

Putting Teachers Back to Work

At the White House on Monday, out-of-work teachers applauded as the President outlined how the American Jobs Act will grow the economy and create jobs. Following the Rose Garden event, the teachers shared their stories with Secretary Duncan at the Department of Education headquarters.

Lisa Bruska, a mother of three who’s fighting cancer, explained to Secretary Duncan the hardship of being laid off from teaching first grade in Minnesota, and she hoped that Congress would move to put educators like her back to work.

American Jobs Act Facts:

  • $30 billion to support teachers’ jobs
  • $25 billion in funds will be used to upgrade existing public school facilities
  • $5 billion investment in modernizing community colleges

See what impact the American Jobs Act will have in your state.

Learn more on how the American Jobs Act will repair and modernize America’s schools.