As reported by Boston.com, in a commencement speech given today for Cambridge’s Lesley University graduates, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told those gathered that if Congress fails to soon come to the aid of struggling communities across the country, as many as 300,000 of the nation’s teachers are at risk of losing their jobs.  4,000 of those teachers, Duncan warned could come from the Bay State alone.

According to the post, the Education Secretary spoke of both his and the President’s “deep concern” over the uncertainty of the job market and the economy, and implored Congress to pass the Education and Jobs Bill currently under debate.  It is claimed by the bill’s supporters that, if passed, it could create nearly 260,000 new teaching positions or save positions currently in jeopardy, providing much needed relief to state and local education budgets.