Dr. Susan B. Neuman was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) on July 24, 2001. In her position, she serves as the principal adviser to the U.S. Secretary of Education on all matters related to pre-k, elementary and secondary education.
Prior to receiving her appointment by President George W. Bush, Dr. Neuman was a professor in Educational Studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Director of the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement. For 10 years prior to joining the Michigan faculty, Neuman was a professor at Temple University in Philadelphia. With more than thirty years of hands-on experience in early childhood literacy and proven instructional methods for teaching reading, Assistant Secretary Neuman has spent extensive time in some of America's most challenging educational arenas. Throughout her career as a university professor, a nationally published reading expert and an inner-city school teacher, Dr. Neuman has worked to change the education status quo that has allowed many of America's most at-risk children to be trapped in failing schools. As the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Dr. Neuman leads one of largest Departments within the U.S. Department of Education. Through the President's billion-dollar teacher quality initiative that mandates a qualified teacher in every classroom, to the historic Reading First program that provides millions of dollars to states for scientifically-proven reading instruction, the Department of Education is working to ensure that every child across the country be given a quality education.
With the largest increases in education funding in American history provided by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 now tied to the most revolutionary accountability measures ever introduced, the mission of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education is to improve the quality of teaching and learning by providing leadership, technical assistance and financial support that leads to academic excellence. OESE provides more than $14 billion annually to states and school districts to help expand education opportunities and excellence in the nation's schools. A graduate of American University, Neuman received her teaching credentials from the University of California - Berkeley, a master's degree from California State University - Hayward and a doctorate from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. The parents of two grown children, and the grandparents of two, the Neumans reside in Washington, DC.
Press Release announcing Susan Neuman's resignation (January 14, 2003)
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This page last modified—August 2, 2006.
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