National Assessment Governing Board Selects Interim Director

Deputy Executive Director to Fill Top Leadership Post

(August 1, 2008) The National Assessment Governing Board announced today at its quarterly meeting the appointment of Mary Crovo as its interim executive director. Board members voted unanimously to hand over the reins to Crovo, the Board's deputy executive director. She will serve in that role until a permanent replacement is selected for departing executive director Charles Smith, who officially steps down Saturday.

The Governing Board is a 26-member bipartisan and independent federal body that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), otherwise known as the Nation's Report Card. In announcing the appointment of Crovo, who has worked for the Board since 1989, Board Chairman Darvin Winick said members and staff are fortunate to have a senior professional who is capable and willing to serve in this capacity.

"I'm sure that Mary will handle the responsibilities well as long as necessary," Winick said. "She has served the Board for nearly two decades and is an invaluable asset to us."

Smith, who had been executive director since January 2003, will become Vice President and head of Washington, D.C., operations for ACT, starting Aug. 4.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress is the only nationally representative, continuing evaluation of the condition of education in the United States. It has served as a national yardstick of student achievement since 1969. Through the Nation's Report Card, NAEP informs the public about what American students know and can do in various subject areas and compares achievement between states, large urban districts, and various student demographic groups.
The National Assessment Governing Board is an independent, bipartisan board whose members include governors, state legislators, local and state school officials, educators, business representatives and members of the general public. Congress created the 26-member Governing Board in 1988 to oversee and set policy for NAEP.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a congressionally authorized project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The National Center for Education Statistics, within the Institute of Education Sciences, administers NAEP. The Commissioner of Education Statistics is responsible by law for carrying out the NAEP project.