Janice K. Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janice K. Jackson
|
|
|---|---|
| CEO of Chicago Public Schools | |
| In office December 8, 2017 – June 30, 2021 |
|
| Mayor | Lori Lightfoot Rahm Emanuel |
| Preceded by | Forrest Claypool |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Martinez José Torres (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 22, 1977 Chicago, Illinois |
| Spouse |
Torrence Price
(m. 2017) |
| Alma mater | Chicago State University University of Illinois at Chicago |
| Signature | .png) |
Janice K. Jackson was born on May 22, 1977. She is an American educator and school leader. Jackson was the head of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from December 8, 2017, until June 30, 2021. This role is like being the superintendent of the entire school district. Before becoming the CEO, Jackson was the chief education officer for CPS.
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Early Life and School Days
Janice Jackson was born in Chicago, Illinois, at Englewood Hospital. She was the third of five children. Her family lived in a two-bedroom apartment in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Her father worked as a taxi driver.
Jackson went to Cook Elementary School in Auburn Gresham. She then attended Hyde Park Academy High School, graduating in 1995. After high school, she went to Chicago State University. She earned a bachelor's degree in history and secondary education in December 1999.
Starting Her Career in Education
Jackson began her career as a social studies teacher. She taught at South Shore Community Academy High School, which is part of the Chicago Public Schools. Before becoming a teacher, she worked as a cashier at a clothing store.
While teaching, Jackson continued her studies at Chicago State University. She earned a master's degree in history.
Helping to Create New Schools
Jackson played a big part in creating a new CPS school called Al Raby High School. In 2003, she helped get a $500,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This money helped start the school. Al Raby High School opened in 2004 when Jackson was 27 years old.
The school was located in a building that used to be a closed CPS school. It was designed to support a small number of students, fewer than 400. The school focused on technology, science, and the environment. Jackson became the principal of Al Raby High School. The school became known for having one of the lowest dropout rates in the city.
While working as a principal, Jackson continued her education. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago. There, she earned a second master's degree in education, focusing on leadership. She then studied for her doctorate in Urban Education Leadership. She finished her doctorate in 2010.
Later, Jackson was chosen by Arne Duncan, who was the CEO of Chicago Public Schools at the time. He asked her to create another new school for the district, George Westinghouse College Prep. She also became the principal of this school.
In 2014, Jackson moved into administrative roles at Chicago Public Schools. She became a community-network chief. In this role, she oversaw 26 schools and 14,000 students.
Leading Chicago Public Schools
In 2015, Jackson became the chief education officer for Chicago Public Schools. On December 8, 2017, she became the interim CEO of Chicago Public Schools. This happened after the previous CEO, Forrest Claypool, resigned. Soon after, the Chicago Board of Education made her the permanent CEO. Jackson was the first head of Chicago Public Schools in 20 years to have been a teacher herself.
Challenges and Achievements as CEO
When Jackson became CEO, the school district faced several challenges. Fewer students were enrolling in schools. Some schools were too crowded, while others had too few students. Also, the state had concerns about how CPS was providing services for students with special needs.
Jackson worked to improve the school system. She started the Great Expectations mentoring program. This program helps encourage Black and Hispanic men to become leaders in Chicago Public Schools. In 2018, Jackson created an Office of Equity for CPS. This made Chicago the largest city with a school district that had such an office. Education Week recognized Jackson as one of their "Leaders to Learn From" in early 2018.
During her time as CEO, Jackson also had to address serious issues. She introduced new policies to ensure student safety. For example, she required background checks for all employees. She also changed rules so that employees accused of wrongdoing could not access school buildings during an investigation.
Transition and Departure
Jackson's role became a topic during the 2019 Chicago mayoral election. Many wondered if the new mayor would keep her as CEO. After Lori Lightfoot became mayor in May 2019, she decided to keep Jackson as the permanent CEO.
In October 2019, there was a strike by the Chicago Teachers Union. Jackson often shared her views on the union's actions.
In May 2021, Jackson announced she would step down as CEO on June 30, 2021. This marked the end of her 22-year career with Chicago Public Schools. Mayor Lightfoot and the president of the Chicago Board of Education, Miguel del Valle, praised her leadership.
After Chicago Public Schools
In September 2021, Jackson announced her new role as CEO of HOPE Chicago. This program helps Chicago students with scholarships. Jackson has said she is not interested in running for mayor of Chicago.
Personal Life
Janice Jackson married Torrence Price in 2017. They have a daughter together.
