FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The UA College of Education and Health Professions has appointed Gary W. Ritter, an associate professor, to the Chair for Education Policy in the new department of education reform. Ritter continues to serve as associate director of the interdisciplinary doctoral program in public policy and as director of the Office for Education Policy in the college.

“I am pleased that Dr. Ritter agreed to join the department of education reform,” said Reed Greenwood, dean of the college. “He has played a vital role in this state by working closely with legislators and policymakers and presenting research results in an accessible form to address the complex questions facing our schools. He is highly respected among educators statewide, and his insight and energy will be important contributions to the new department.”

Jay Greene, head of the department, said, “Gary Ritter’s record is impressive, and I am eager to collaborate with him in conducting and sharing research that can make a tremendous difference for schools in Arkansas and nationally.”

Ritter founded and directs the Office for Education Policy, which is a resource for state legislators, school board members and other policymakers in making informed decisions concerning K-12 education in Arkansas. Its quarterly newsletter and Web page have become important sources of information and have promoted an exchange of views among educators and policymakers statewide.

Ritter is also involved with the What Works Clearinghouse of the U.S. Department of Education reviewing the impact of elementary and middle school math curricula.

“Currently, many UA faculty members are working to improve the schooling experience for all children. This new department promises to be another vehicle to further this mission, and I am honored to be part of it,” Ritter said. “Many of my colleagues from around the country have made it clear what a unique opportunity we now have in Arkansas to develop something special, and they are excited for us.”

Ritter earned a doctorate in education policy in 2000 from the University of Pennsylvania, where he coordinated research evaluating a tutoring project in West Philadelphia. His research interests include program evaluation, school finance, volunteer tutoring programs, standards-based and accountability-based school reform, racial segregation in schools and the impact of pre-school care on school readiness.

The department of education reform was established with a $10 million foundation gift that was doubled by the university’s Matching Gift Program. With a $20 million endowment, the department is able to offer endowed chairs for the department head and five faculty members. Ritter’s annual salary in the endowed Education Policy Chair is $107,589. The mission of the department is to advance education and economic development by focusing on the improvement of academic achievement in the public schools.