Jack Jennings – Education
Upon graduating from Northwestern School of Law and passing the bar, Jack Jennings found his way to Washington, DC to begin a career in education policy and politics spanning over fifty years.
Jack Jennings served as president and CEO for the Center on Education Policy, a nonpartisan, Washington, nonprofit focused on education research. Over the course of 27 years, Jack was subcommittee staff director, followed by general counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Labor.
Jack Jennings’s latest book is
Find out more at Jack Jennings Education.
Jack Jennings on Education: Popular Blog Posts
Private Schools Are Not Better than Public Schools
In a new book, Jack Jennings reviews the history of American private education and weighs its worth in today’s society. These schools provide an alternative for parents with concerns about public schools. But, proponents of private education are claiming academic...
The Three Ps — Policeman, Politician, Priest
Many young American men of Irish descent created their job careers in three particular areas — policeman; politician; priest — the "Three Ps". Why was that? Vignettes are given of how a typical family affected by the "Three Ps" lived in Chicago from 1940 to 1990....
Girlie, a play by Jack Jennings
Whether to run off with her lover or stay in a difficult but comfortable marriage is the question facing the heroine of this two-act play written by Jack Jennings. An article by Mr. Jennings from the Clarion giving the background for the play appears below as does the...
Fatigued by School Reform presentation to the Friars Club at the Clare in Chicago
On July 21, 2021, Jack Jennings made a presentation to the Friars Club at the Clare in Chicago. Jennings summarized his latest book, Fatigued by School Reform, but also talked about the general condition of public schools in America. Note: There are some silent places...
Narrative Biography
The New York State Archives maintains a trove of information on the relationship between the federal and the state governments on their dealings in education. In 2013-14, Jack Jennings was one of the advisors to that project. This is the biography the Archives used...
An Unexpected Letter
On June 21, 2021, a letter was received about Fatigued by School Reform. It follows: Dear Jack, Sorry to be so late responding to your book. I think it is brilliant! It is clear, comprehensive, astute and a masterpiece of brevity. To cover the time period you did in...
Fatigued by School Reform: Presentation to the Alliance for Educational Impact, June 8, 2021, by Jack Jennings
On June 8th, 2021, the Alliance for Educational Impact sponsored a discussion of Fatigued by School Reform, Jack Jennings' latest book. Participants included local school superintendents, school improvement providers, members of state boards of education, university...
Los Pensamientos de un Anciano
Ser anciano es ser más débil, un recuerdo que el carácter de una persona, ni fuerza ni belleza, es la cosa más importante. Ser anciano es conocer la muerte, por lo tanto el tiempo pasado con los seres amados es precioso. Ser anciano es sufrir el dolor física y...
The American Rescue Plan Act: The Most Significant School Reform Since the 1960’s
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed legislation to deal with the pandemic and the Nation’s economic problems. Included in this measure are provisions meant to reduce the number of children in poverty by one-third to one-half. Un-noted in this debate has been the...
SUPER REVIEW!
The book, Fatigued by School Reform, has received a great review from a very prestigious publication. Choice Magazine, affiliated with the Association of College and Research Libraries, describes itself as "an authoritative source on the evaluation of scholarly...
Thoughts on Being Old
To be old is to be physically weaker, a reminder that a person’s true character, not strength or beauty, is what counts. To be old is to be familiar with death, showing the value of spending time with loved ones. To be old is to suffer pain both physical and...
An Essential Question
This summer, school leaders faced unprecedented challenges in preparing for the opening of the current school year. Crucial issues included the following: • Could students be taught to keep a distance from one another? • Was there enough room in buildings to provide...
Advice for Democrats
“To win elections, it is helpful to have a disliked opponent. People are more motivated to vote against someone than they are to vote for someone, according to an old adage…”
Trump’s Wrong About the Schools
“(A)n education system flush with cash but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge.” President Trump broadcast this biting condemnation in his inaugural address…
A Nation Adrift
Today, attention is on the Congress as it addresses changes to the No Child Left Behind Act. That action is overdue since the law expired eight years ago. But, it must be understood that congressional amendments are merely removing unpopular requirements, not creating a new agenda to improve the nation’s schools. After a renewed law is enacted, the remnant will be some federal funds to the states for school improvement but no clear national vision on how to bring about better schools.