Janice K. Jackson

Janice K. Jackson (born May 22, 1977) is an American educator, educational administrator and former schools superintendent. Jackson was the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, the school district's superintendent position, from December 8, 2017, until June 30, 2021. Prior to her term as superintendent, Jackson was the chief education officer of the district.

Childhood and education Jackson was born on Chicago's South Side at Englewood Hospital. Her father worked as a taxi driver. Jackson attended Cook Elementary School in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. This charged her with the oversight of 26 schools with 14,000 students. Jackson and CEO of Chicago Public Schools Forrest Claypool did not see eye-to-eye. She was soon after made permanent CEO by the Chicago Board of Education (the city's school board).

On June 1, 2018, the Chicago Tribune published an investigative report which detailed that Chicago Public Schools had, for over a decade, been mishandling sexual abuse cases. Despite these actions, she still received criticism accusing her of being ineffective in her response to the revelations. On June 3, 2019, she announced that she would be permanently retaining Jackson as CEO. In October 2019, there was a strike by the Chicago Teachers Union. Jackson has criticized the Chicago Teachers Union for being overly-political.

In May 2021, Jackson announced she would be stepping-down as CEO on June 30, 2021. This ended her 22-year career in Chicago Public Schools. After announcing her planned departure, Jackson's leadership in the role of CEO was praised by Mayor Lightfoot and president of the Chicago Board of Education Miguel del Valle.

Subsequent career In September 2021, Jackson announced that she would be the CEO of HOPE Chicago, a scholarship program for Chicago students. Jackson declined to run 2023 Chicago mayoral election, claiming to have no interest in seeking the office. There was later some level of speculation about a possible 2027 mayoral run by Jackson, but she again denied interest in running.

In 2024, Jackson signed an open letter opposing Mayor Brandon Johnson's ouster of her successor, Pedro Martinez.

In July 2025, Jackson began working as the executive director of the Aspen Institute Education & Policy Program. In August 2025, Jackson began working as an advisor to education arm of The Vistria Group, a private equity firm.

Personal life Jackson married Torrence Price in 2017.