U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that Russ Whitehurst has been formally sworn in as assistant secretary for educational research and improvement.

Whitehurst previously was lead professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he taught since 1970.

During his tenure at SUNY at Stony Brook, Whitehurst held several academic and leadership posts, including director of applied child and family studies, chair of the University Committee on Child and Family Studies, professor of clinical psychology, and professor of pediatrics.

A native of Washington, N.C., Whitehurst is renown for his expertise in language acquisition and language disorders, emergent literacy and prevention of reading difficulties.

He is a graduate of East Carolina University and received a master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

President Bush formally nominated Whitehurst April 30. The Senate confirmed the nomination on July 12.

"Russ Whitehurst brings a wealth of experience to our research and improvement office, a part of our department that President Bush has singled out as being essential to our goal of creating a system of schools that leaves no child behind," Paige said. "His leadership will be invaluable as we seek to produce quality research on teaching and learning and share it with educators and the public."