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 on Education: Popular Blog Posts

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.