Jim Shelton, the U.S. Department of Education’s assistant secretary for innovation and improvement, is to take on an even bigger role at the department early next month.

Department sources confirm that Shelton, who helped craft and implement the Investing in Innovation grant competition, is in line to become the deputy secretary (and would be the “acting” deputy secretary until his appointment becomes official). He would replace Tony Miller.

This would put Shelton in U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s inner circle and open up a key position in the department’s innovation ranks. It also shows that second-term turnover continues.

While the i3 program didn’t have the same scale as Race to the Top, it’s definitely an Obama administration priority, and Shelton has worked to build a portfolio of promising projects that are now starting to show effects.

Shelton’s new position requires a presidential appointment.