An article written by Jack Jennings, published in The Clarion "I wonder what became of the other folks?" was a comment from one of the first people to read "Girlie," a play that I finished writing in October. Elly, Tommie, Birch, Mrs. Herrity, and Mrs. Sweeney are...
Oldies But Goodies
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. The script for the stageplay Girlie is downloadable, below. Also, "Girlie", an article written by Jack...
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...
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...
A Washington Post Interview with Jack Jennings on Education Policy
In this interview, Jack Jennings comments on the new U.S. Secretary of Education and the national role in education.
A Good Idea That Will Again Fail
Unfortunately, equitable funding is not going to happen.
Privileging the Few over the Many in Education
Ideas matter. In education, an under-appreciated but powerful example of the impact of ideas can be found in the influence of Ayn Rand, a Russian-American novelist and polemicist who died in 1982. In Rand's case, her ideas have helped to shape an environment where the...
Why Tests Should Not Be Used to Measure Teacher Performance
Many states have reformed their teacher evaluation systems to hold public school teachers accountable for the academic achievement of their students. The hope is that if teachers are measured by the improvement -- or lack thereof -- in their students' achievement,...
The Neglected Purpose of Education
"To prepare all citizens to become responsible members of a democratic society" "To develop socialization and citizenship skills in children" "Preparing students for responsible, productive citizenship and imbuing them with values common to one democratic society"...
When Politics Comes First: The Reasons Republicans Shifted to Supporting Private Schools
Mitt Romney has pledged that if elected president he will enact a voucher program that would allow parents of low-income and special needs students "to choose from any district or public charter school, or a private school where permitted by state law." This position...
Can Boys Succeed In Later Life If They Can’t Read As Well As Girls?
March is national reading month -- and a good time to focus on some rather bleak news about the reading gap between boys and girls. From elementary through high school, males are reading at lower levels than females. This doesn't bode well for future job opportunities...
Get the Federal Government Out of Education? That Wasn’t the Founding Fathers’ Vision
Last fall on the campaign trail, Mike Lee, Utah's new Tea-Party-backed senator, boldly asserted that: "...Congress has no business regulating our nation's public education system, and has created problems whenever it has attempted to do so." Other Tea Party candidates...