Jane Krentz

Jane Krentz is a Research Fellow who has worked part-time at NCEO since 1997, most recently focusing on the implementation of No Child Left Behind, the inclusion of children with disabilities in large-scale assessment and accountability systems, alternative routes to the standard diploma, and the principles of Universal Design. Jane does research, writing, editing, and presentations for NCEO. She also focuses on networking with other groups that affect education policy.

She was a Minnesota State Senator from 1993-2002. She served on the K-12 Education Budget Division for ten years, was Vice-Chair of K-12 Education for four years, and Vice-Chair of the Education Finance Committee for 2 ½ years. Jane has also been very active in education policy at the national level. She chaired the Education, Labor and Workforce Development Committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures in 2001-2002, and has done presentations for numerous policy organizations including the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Council of State Governments, the Center for Policy Alternatives, Women in Government, the National School Boards Association, and the Education Commission of the States.

Jane graduated from Hamline University in 1974 with a degree in Psychology and Elementary Education, and completed her M.Ed. at the University of Minnesota in Special Education. She was an elementary teacher who was on leave of absence while serving in the Senate. She served on the Board for the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota for ten years, and continues as an advisor.