Chester Evans "Checker" Finn Jr. (born August 3, 1944) is a former professor of education, an educational policy analyst, and a former United States Assistant

Secretary of Education An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...

. He is currently the president emeritus of the nonprofit Thomas B. Fordham Foundation in

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He is also Volker Senior Fellow at

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Hoover Institution The Hoover Institution (officially The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace and formerly The Hoover Institute and Library on War, Revolution, and Peace) is an American public policy think tank which promotes personal and economic ...

where he chairs the Working Group on Good American Citizenship. He was also a member of the Maryland Kirwan Commission on Education during its authorization period from 2016 to 2019. Finn was Professor of Education and Public Policy at

Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University (informally Vandy or VU) is a private university, private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provide ...

(1981–2002). He served as Assistant Secretary for Research and Improvement at the

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(1985–88). Prior positions included Staff Assistant to U.S. President

Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until Resignation of Richard Nixon, his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...

; special assistant to Massachusetts Governor

Francis Sargent Francis Williams Sargent (July 29, 1915 – October 22, 1998) was an American politician who served as the 64th governor of Massachusetts from 1969 to 1975. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 63rd lieutenant governo ...

(1972–73); counsel to U.S. Ambassador to India

Daniel Patrick Moynihan Daniel Patrick Moynihan (; March 16, 1927 – March 26, 2003) was an American politician, diplomat and social scientist. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he represented New York (state), New York in the ...

(1973–74); Research Associate at the

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(1974–77); and legislative director for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1977–81).

Published works include

* Finn, Jr., Chester E., ''Assessing the Nation's Report Card: Challenges and Choices for NAEP'' (2022); Harvard Education Press * Finn, Jr., Chester E.; Scanlan, Andrew E.; ''Learning in the Fast Lane: The Past, Present and Future of Advanced Placement'' (2019); Princeton University Press *''How to Educate an American: The Conservative Vision for Tomorrow's Schools''; Michael J. Petrilli and Chester E. Finn Jr., eds. (2020). West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press. . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *''We Must Take Charge!: Our Schools and Our Future'' (1991) *''The Educated Child: A Parents Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade'' (1999; with

William Bennett William John Bennett (born July 31, 1943) is an American conservative politician and political commentator who served as the third United States secretary of education from 1985 to 1988 under President Ronald Reagan. He also held the post of d ...

and John T. E. Cribb Jr.) *''Charter Schools in Action: Renewing Public Education'' (2001; with Bruno V. Manno and Gregg Vanourek) *''Leaving No Child Behind?: Options for Kids in Failing Schools'' (2004) (with Frederick M. Hess) *''Troublemaker: A Personal History of School Reform Since Sputnik'' (2008)

References

External links

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation websiteHudson Institute > About Hudson > Chester Finn
Hudson Institute biography *
MediaTransparency Profile of Chester FinnReview of Chester Finn's Autobiography, Troublemaker: A Personal History of School Reform Since Sputnik
{{DEFAULTSORT:Finn, Chester E. Jr. 1944 births Living people Phillips Exeter Academy alumni Academics from Columbus, Ohio Reagan administration personnel Vanderbilt University faculty National Association of Scholars Harvard Graduate School of Education alumni