Jack T. O'Connell (born October 8, 1951) is an American politician, educator and formerly the 26th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected to the post in November 2002 with 61% of the vote.

He was re-elected to his post by receiving a majority (52%) of the vote in the Primary election on June 6, 2006, thus avoiding a November run-off.

Before his election to the legislature, O'Connell served on the Santa Barbara County School Board.

O'Connell considered a bid for President Pro Tem of the State Senate in 1998 but ultimately decided not to run.

From 1994 to 1996, O'Connell employed as a legislative aide Tara Reade, who had recently left the office of then-U.S.