The U.S. Department of Education has announced that Dr. Matthew Soldner will assume the role of Acting Commissioner at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Dr. Soldner has been serving as the Acting Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) since April 2024.
In his new position, Dr. Soldner will collaborate with Senior Advisor Dr. Amber Northern, as well as NCES and IES staff, to ensure that all NCES reports and products remain relevant and useful to researchers, educators, education leaders, and other stakeholders. He will also oversee preparations for the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), scheduled for January 2026, which is proceeding on schedule according to recent confirmations by the Administration.
“Matt is a dedicated researcher and leader who will play a key role in the Administration’s efforts to reshape NCES,” stated Senior Advisor Dr. Amber Northern. “We are excited to elevate Matt to this new role to continue his work on the National Assessment of Educational Progress and other critical education assessments.”
Dr. Soldner expressed enthusiasm about his new appointment: “I began my career in federal service at NCES and am excited for the opportunity to return there as Acting Commissioner,” he said. “NCES has a long history of producing relevant, accurate, and objective statistical data about our nation’s education system that are critical for policymakers, educators, and parents alike. I look forward to extending that legacy and to recommitting NCES to providing objective, neutral, and non-ideological information and statistics as we work toward a modernized and reimagined IES.”
Dr. Matthew Soldner is currently serving as both Acting Director of the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and Acting Commissioner at its National Center for Education Statistics. Previously, he was Commissioner of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), a role he began in 2018.
Dr. Soldner earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland’s College of Education. His professional interests focus on utilizing rigorous evidence to enhance education policy and practice while evaluating initiatives aimed at improving postsecondary education outcomes.
