College of Education and Health Professions Celebrates First Endowed Chair in Education Reform

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Reed Greenwood, dean of the UA College of Education and Health Professions, has appointed Jay P. Greene to be the first holder of the Endowed Chair in Education Reform. With a ceremonial presentation of a specially cast medallion, the college will celebrate the appointment at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in the foyer of the Graduate Education Building Auditorium.

Reed Greenwood, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, said: “Jay Greene has brought impressive energy and expertise to leading the college’s new department of education reform. With his appointment to this endowed chair, we are pleased to formally recognize his commitment to scholarship that makes a difference in the world. His is an important voice in the vital debate on school improvement nationally.”

Research Greene conducted on high school graduation and college readiness has been frequently cited nationally in the examination of school drop-out statistics. He has also evaluated school choice and accountability systems in Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas and North Carolina. His research was cited four times in the Supreme Court’s findings that vouchers do not violate the constitutional prohibition against establishment of religion.

“I have appreciated the welcome of my colleagues at the University of Arkansas and the support and confidence of Dean Greenwood,” Greene said. “It is an honor to be selected for the Endowed Chair in Education Reform and for the exciting opportunity to lead a department that offers such promise to improve education for the children of Arkansas and the nation.”

Greene came to the university after five years with the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Previously he was a professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston. He earned doctoral and master’s degrees in political science at Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in history at Tufts University.

In addition to publishing extensively in academic and popular publications, he is author with Greg Foster and Marcus A. Winters of the recently published book “Education Myths: What Special Interest Groups Want You to Believe About Our Schools-and Why It Isn’t So.”