Reading Expert Tapped for Ed Post

A prominent researcher who advocates doing more to get books into the hands of poor children has been nominated for a top job at the U.S. Department of Education. Susan B. Neuman, director of the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was chosen by President Bush to be assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education. While at Temple University, Neuman headed a study showing that low-income children have much less access to high-quality books in early childhood classrooms, child care settings, and homes than their middle-class peers. Neuman advocated more public funding for books and suggested that groups such as the American Library Association create guidelines for child care providers and others in selecting materials.