Job losses among teachers and other public employees have driven employment in local government to a nearly six-year low -- 14 million jobs, according to data from the Labor Department. In September, local governments eliminated 35,000 jobs -- 24,400 of which were in education. The country now employs 7.8 million education professionals, which is the fewest in more than six years years. Bloomberg
Detroit plans teacher layoffs during state tests: Detroit officials have issued layoff notices, effective after Friday's classes, to 87 teachers, even as state testing occurs. Officials say the layoffs will not affect the tests, but the teachers union disagrees. "The timing could not be worse," said Detroit Federation of Teachers President Keith Johnson. "You would have them changing teachers right in the middle of the MEAP test. Students would start off with one teacher and then have other another." The Detroit News