As President Donald Trump’s nominees are considered by the U.S. Senate, families are ready to see education secretary nominee Linda McMahon step into the ring to shake up our nation’s education system.
What’s one of those moves? School choice.
As someone who benefited from school choice by attending private and charter schools and has worked to remove government barriers to both the workplace and education, senators need to consider McMahon’s unique perspective and leadership style, shaped by her extensive business experience and ability to drive innovation, as she vies to become the next secretary of education.
She brings a strong record of success, transforming World Wrestling Entertainment into a global powerhouse, and she championed small businesses by cutting red tape and expanding resources for entrepreneurs as the Small Business Administrator.
With a reputation for shaking up industries and a commitment to bold leadership, she is poised to champion school choice, putting power back in the hands of parents and ensuring every student has access to an education built around their unique needs.
But her vision goes further. The ultimate aim isn’t just reform — it’s to completely transform education by abolishing the Department of Education and returning control to the states. This bold move shifts the focus away from a one-size-fits-all federal approach, empowering communities to craft solutions that truly meet their needs.
With McMahon’s extensive business experience and leadership skills, she is poised to drive these changes, leading the charge to build an education system that serves every child’s unique needs and potential. That starts with abolishing the Department of Education and bringing school choice to every state in the country.
No matter how extensively we reform the modern education system, many students will still face challenges. In 2022, average mathematics test scores declined for the first time, and average reading scores saw the largest decline since 1990.
Reforming the system is not enough, and there is a dire need for transformation and innovation in learning.
Our modern education system has been designed in a way that has suppressed diversity of thought and stifled creativity, and it is working as it should. The idea of the “average student” is rooted in the work of thought leaders such as Adolphe Quetelet and Frederick Taylor, who promote collective conformity over individuality, ignoring the reality that every person is unique.
And as Taylor and Quetelet developed their ideas, Horace Mann introduced the concept of compulsory schooling, which laid the groundwork for the one-size-fits-all system of state-controlled education today. With the U.S. becoming more diverse, “the father of American education” believed it was necessary to create a uniform education system to have “political stability and social harmony.”
Our country has tried reforming education, but reform is no longer enough. The system needs a fundamental transformation to prioritize creativity, individuality, and tailored learning experiences over rigid conformity. Every student is different, and they need an education that fits their needs.
The education establishment has prioritized bureaucracy and uniformity over innovation and individualized learning, leaving families with limited options and outdated solutions.
In contrast, the school choice movement has led to innovative learning options for families, which are set to grow further under McMahon’s leadership as Secretary of Education, with her plans to champion a federal school choice program that returns greater authority to states and families. And to limit even more federal involvement, individuals can earn full tax credits for donating to local scholarship organizations.
This program would empower parents to shape their children’s education, fostering environments that prioritize individual growth, diverse opportunities, and academic excellence. They will be able to use funds for different learning options from private schools to homeschool to microschools.
Under McMahon’s leadership, a federal school choice program could expand on the successes of states such as Arizona, Utah, and Florida, providing every state with the opportunity to offer similar innovative educational options. Expanding school choice in these states has increased parental satisfaction and improved student outcomes.
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The growing school choice movement across the country reflects a demand for educational freedom, pushing for policies that prioritize student needs, empower parents, and foster innovation in learning.
By advocating policies that fund students instead of systems, McMahon will lead the charge for a fundamental transformation in education — one that prioritizes innovation and families. With school choice as a key initiative, she is ready to give more power to families and states, ensuring every child has access to an education adapted to their unique needs.
Frances Floresca is an education policy analyst and reporter.