Returning to Michigan after a two year hiatus where she served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education under President George W. Bush, Susan B. Neuman is a Professor in Educational Studies specializing in early literacy development. In her role as Assistant Secretary, she is especially proud of her work in establishing the Reading First program (funded at $6 billion), and the Early Reading First program ($75 million). At Michigan, she has directed the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA), focusing early childhood policy, curriculum, and early reading instruction, pre-kindergarten - grade 3.
Susan is involved in a number of research projects all working to change the odds for children in poverty. She received her doctorate at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California in 1977, and her B.A. at American University. Prior to coming to Michigan, she was a Professor at Temple University, the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and Eastern Connecticut State University.
She is the author of books that include: Nurturing Knowledge: Building a foundation for school success by linking early literacy to math, science, art and social studies (with Kathy Roskos) (2007); Reading to your young child: A parent's guide (with Tanya Wright) (2007. The Handbook of Early Literacy Research (Volume I) (2000); Access for All: Closing the Book Gap for Children In Early Education (2001), Handbook on Early Literacy Research (Volume II) with David Dickinson (2006), Learning to Read and Write: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (NAEYC, 2000), Children Achieving: Best Practices in Early Literacy (1998, International Reading Association), Single-subject experimental design: Applications for Literacy (1995), Literacy in the Television Age (Ablex, 1995), and Language and Literacy in Early Childhood (Harcourt Brace, 1993).
NEW:
The Child/Home Early Language and Literacy Observation (CHELLO) is an observational tool designed to rate the early literacy environment in home-based child care settings. Ideal for developing accurate profiles of quality language and literacy practices in family/group child care settings.
Reading with your young child by Susan B. Neuman and Tanya Wright: Scholastic, 2007
"An indispensable resource for parents of preschool children. Instilling a love of reading is one of the most important gifts you can give to your children, and this guide provides all the tools and inspiration you'll need to do it."
Just published, "Nurturing Knowledge: Building a foundation for school success by linking early literacy to math, science, art, and social studies" by Susan B. Neuman, Kathleen Roskos, Tanya Wright and Lisa Lenhart: Scholastic, 2007
"Reading achievement in the earliest years may look like it's just about letters and sounds—but it's about much more than that. Successful reading consists of knowing a relatively small store of unconscious procedural skills, accompanied by a massive and slowly built-up store of content knowledge. By linking early literacy to content learning, we can provide children with the purposeful, knowledge-building experiences they need to be successful readers and writers."
N is for Nonsensical
(nisfornonsense.pdf)
The Knowledge Gap: Implications of leveling the playing field for low-income children
(knowledgegap2.pdf)
The State of Pre-Kindergarten Standards
(Pre-KindergartenStandards.pdf)