U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced the appointment of Doug Mesecar as deputy chief of staff for policy, a position that provides strategic guidance and policy recommendations on the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act as well as other department programs and responsibilities.

Regarding Mesecar's appointment, Secretary Paige said, "Since arriving at the department, Doug has demonstrated a thorough knowledge of and a commitment to the principles of the No Child Left Behind Act. I am confident in his abilities and leadership as we move forward with the implementation of this historic education reform and other important education initiatives so that we can ensure every child in our great nation receives a quality education."

Previously, Mesecar served as chief of staff in the department's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Before joining the department, he served on the staff of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, where he played a key role in drafting the No Child Left Behind Act and other legislative initiatives. Before that, he was an elementary school teacher in Colorado.

Mesecar earned his bachelor's degree from Hope College in Michigan and did graduate work in education policy at the University of Denver. He is a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., and lives with his family in Virginia.

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