I, together with numerous others, are highly disturbed by many of the recent cabinet nominations by President-Elect Donald Trump. One way that he could turn this pattern around for the good would be to nominate Jeanne Allen to be the next Secretary of Education. Since 1993, Jeanne has been the founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform. A week ago I attended her organization’s STOP for Education event at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. After listening to the many educational pioneers who are creating options for families and children not offered by their traditional school systems, it made me realize that she is the right person for this job at the right time. Ms. Allen has been a fierce fighter for the ability of families to pick the school right for their kids from the time her group was formed.

I was introduced to the idea of school choice by David Boaz, the long-time executive director of the CATO Institute, shortly after learning about the libertarian think tank perhaps in 1992 or 1993. My profound interest in this approach led me to spend over 25 years in D.C.’s charter school movement, serving as a volunteer on three charter school boards and becoming chair of two of them. I am most proud of leading Washington Latin PCS in its acquisition of a permanent facility, and significantly strengthening its finances.

The charter sector has made a lot of sense to me. Schools receive freedom to operate while being accountable to the public for their performance. But now, after observing the recent antics of our local Public Charter School Board, I realize that this bargain is in the eyes of the beholder. For example, if you take a look at the DCPCSB’s Transparency Hub you will get an idea of the plethora of ways charter schools are regulated in this city. Freedom is certainly not the word that would come to mind. In regard to accountability, there is a sliding scale there as well. At the last PCSB monthly meeting, a school that has not been following the law in regard to caring for special education students since 2022 received a Notice of Concern.

I have come around to the thinking of Ms. Allen. Forget the accountability based upon test scores. Let’s create as many options as we can for parents and let them drive the educational marketplace. I remember when I first became involved with charters, critics said parents, especially those from low income neighborhoods, would never be able to make a wise choice regarding where their children should be taught. From day one, I found that nothing could be further from the truth.

Ms. Allen has been a pure choice advocate since she entered this arena. With the recent emphasis across the country on the power of parents in public education, her time for a formal national leadership position has arrived. Her selection for Education Secretary would bring a smile to the faces of many who have not been happy in recent days.