BOSTON – A former top adviser to three Massachusetts governors was appointed Tuesday to be New England regional representative for the U.S. Education Department.

Michael J. Sentance will be U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige’s liaison to local and state agencies, public and private schools, colleges, lawmakers and other education organizations in the six New England states.

Sentance has worked for acting Gov. Jane Swift and former Govs. Paul Cellucci and William Weld. He held several posts in those Republican administrations, including education adviser, secretary of education and director of the governor’s legislative office.

Sentance most recently was education adviser to Swift.

Under Weld, Sentance helped shape the 1993 Education Reform Act, which called for reforms in learning, teacher training and accountability.