Former Official at Gates Takes On 'Innovation' Job

Grants from 'Race to the Top' fund part of Ed. Dept. official’s portfolio

James Shelton, a former program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is now heading the U.S. Department of Education office that was seen under President George W. Bush as a way to help promote charter schools and choice.

Mr. Shelton’s appointment as the assistant deputy secretary for the office of innovation and improvement shows that the administration of President Barack Obama is “serious about pushing the envelope on innovation” and rewarding entrepreneurship, said Nina S. Rees, who in 2002 was selected as the first head of the office.

“It’s very exciting. And [Secretary of Education Arne Duncan] didn’t just pick anyone to run it. He brought a seasoned and well-known education reformer to the...