U.S. Secretary Rod Paige today accepted the resignation of Susan B. Neuman as assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education.

"Susan Neuman has been part of a team that's worked hard to make sure we have a swift and smooth implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act," Paige said. "We have successfully finalized guidance and regulations to assist states with their implementation of the law and have approved the first state plans submitted to the department.

"It has been a very busy and intense two years, and I thank Susan for efforts and for her service to the American people. I wish her well in her future pursuits."

"It is a pleasure and an honor to have been a part of the administration, and the implementation of No Child Left Behind," Neuman said. "I believe we have had many accomplishments throughout the year, which were clearly documented in our year's celebration. However, it is now time for me to return to the academy and resume my research in reading."

Before joining the Education Department, Neuman was a professor 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. She has also taught at Boston College, the University of Massachusetts and Yale University. Early in her career Neuman was an elementary school teacher and a reading specialist. She was a board member of the International Reading Association and has published widely, especially regarding literacy.

A graduate of American University, she received a master's degree from California State University-Hayward and a doctorate from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.

The assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education manages the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and serves as a principal adviser to the secretary of education on all matters related to elementary and secondary education.

The office is responsible for directing, coordinating and recommending policy for programs designed: to assist state and local education agencies to improve the achievement of elementary and secondary school students; to help ensure equal access to services leading to such improvement for all children, particularly children who are educationally disadvantaged, Native American, children of migrant workers, or homeless; to foster educational improvement at the state and local levels; and to provide financial assistance to local education agencies whose local revenues are affected by federal activities.

Paige expects to name an acting assistant secretary in the coming days.

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