Jack O'Connell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about a California politician. For the California economist and writer, see Jock O'Connell.
Jack T. O'Connell

Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 5, 2003
Preceded by Delaine Eastin

Born October 8, 1951 (1951-10-08) (age 56)
Glen Cove, New York
Political party Democratic
Spouse Doree O'Connell
Profession Teacher
Religion nondenominational

Jack T. O'Connell (born October 8, 1951) is a California politician. He is currently serving as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having elected to the post in November 2002 with 61% of the vote. O'Connell previously served on the Santa Barbara County School Board. He later went to serve in the California State Assembly as a Democrat representing the Central Coast-based 35th District from 1982 to 1994. He then won election from the 18th District to the California State Senate where he served from 1994 to 2002.

As California's Superintendent of Public Instruction, O'Connell is best known for writing legislation to make the California High School Exit Exam a graduation requirement for high school students.

He is was re-elected to his post in the Primary election on June 6, 2006.

O’Connell was born in 1951 in Glen Cove, New York. In 1958, his family moved to Southern California, where he attended local public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from California State University, Fullerton and earned his secondary teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach in 1975. He returned to his high school alma mater to teach for several years and later served on the Santa Barbara County School Board. [1]

[edit] References


Preceded by
Delaine Eastin
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
January 5, 2003 - Present
Succeeded by
Incumbent