by Jack Jennings | Sep 4, 2018 | academic standards, accountability, education research, federal education policy, federal funding, No Child Left Behind, politics, Race to the Top, school funding, teacher evaluations, teachers, testing
In December 2015, when President Barack Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) — replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 — congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle breathed a deep sigh of relief. Not only had NCLB grown...
by Jack Jennings | May 31, 2017 | advocating, federal funding, politics
The country is so politically divided that people increasingly are not tolerant of different views or respectful of others. This is not simply a lack of good manners. It is a blow to a democratic society. After a half century’s involvement in Washington policy-making,...
by Jack Jennings | Apr 23, 2017 | advocating, college degrees, college degrees, costs of college, federal education policy, federal funding, professors, student debt, student loans
I am honored to be part of this celebration of the life of Tom Wolanin. Donna, Andrew, Peter and other members of the family, you have the sympathy of everyone in this room. All of us knew Tom during his long career. We admired his talents. And, today, we salute him...
by Jack Jennings | Apr 16, 2017 | charter schools, education research, federal education policy, federal funding, NAEP, private schools / vouchers, school choice
“(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 short time later, Trump proposed cutting education spending by 13%....
by Jack Jennings | Feb 1, 2017 | advocating, charter schools, federal education policy, federal funding, No Child Left Behind, private schools / vouchers, Race to the Top, school choice
During the campaign, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump promised to respect state and local control of public education. With his nomination of Betsy DeVos for U.S. secretary of education, President-elect Trump has tossed that promise aside, saying that she will...
by Jack Jennings | Jul 23, 2016 | federal education policy, federal funding, No Child Left Behind, teachers
Should schools with student bodies primarily from low-income families spend less on the education of those children than is spent on the education of other students in the same school district? Of course not! That practice violates common sense norms of justice and...
by Jack Jennings | Jun 16, 2016 | accountability, federal education policy, federal funding, No Child Left Behind, teacher evaluations, teacher performance, teachers, testing
Fifty Years of Federal Aid to Schools: Back into the Future? Jack Jennings* Excerpts from an article appearing in Volume 3 Education Law & Policy Review 2016 In 1965, the federal government began to provide major financial aid for education to states and local...
by Jack Jennings | May 17, 2016 | college degrees, costs of college, federal funding, student loans
“College costs too much!” “My college loans are killing me!” The candidates for the presidency are hearing these complaints as they race around the country. Affordability of a college education is among the few education issues to attract attention in this election...
by Jack Jennings | Aug 24, 2015 | academic standards, accountability, Common State Standards, federal education policy, federal funding
The American public has given its grade to national elected leaders for their attempts to improve the country’s public schools. The verdict is an “F” for failure. But, the public’s alternative to the present policies is also lacking according to the American public’s...
by Jack Jennings | Jul 15, 2015 | academic standards, accountability, Common State Standards, education research, federal education policy, federal funding, No Child Left Behind, private schools / vouchers, Race to the Top, teacher evaluations, teachers, testing
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...
