Susan B. Neuman

Susan B. Neuman is a Professor of Childhood and Literacy Education at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Her research focuses on early literacy development, early childhood policy, and curriculum design, with a particular emphasis on children from low-income backgrounds. She previously served as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, where she established the Early Reading First program and developed the Early Childhood Educator Professional Development Program.

Neuman holds a doctorate from the University of the Pacific. Her work integrates policy, practice, and research to address educational disparities. Key contributions include authoring books like Handbook of Early Literacy Research and Giving Our Children a Fighting Chance, which explore poverty's impact on literacy and information access.

Her recent publications emphasize vocabulary development in early childhood, the role of educational media, and the intersection of socioeconomic status with language and literacy outcomes. Neuman advocates for systemic solutions to support disadvantaged learners through evidence-based interventions and policy reform.