WASHINGTON – Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the economy won’t improve without the billions of dollars for schools in President Barack Obama’s recovery plan.

Duncan told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday that the nation needs a better-educated work force to revive the economy. He said it’s the only way to get out of the economic crisis in the long term.

Obama’s economic stimulus bill cleared the House Wednesday. Critics say much of its $140 billion for schools is not a short-term boost but an immense expansion that will be impossible to roll back.

Duncan said the measure will protect kids by saving teachers’ jobs and by building and renovating schools. It also includes money for reforms related to teaching and student tests.