The announcement of Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary in the coming Administration is shaking up the education establishment across the country.

Editors at the once-vaunted New York Times say they are upset at the choice, so that alone may be a good sign.  Times editors announced months ago that they would oppose Trump on their news and opinion pages, so we wouldn’t expect them to support his choice for Education Secretary, no matter who she was.

Now that the election is over, New York Times editors want us to go back to thinking of them as is a neutral and reliable news source.  For most people, however, memories are not that short.

The federal election results brought a fresh wave of anticipation among education reformers at the state level.  There is real excitement about removing barriers - primarily union opposition - to policy changes that will improve the quality of public education, give families more choices, and lead to better learning outcomes for all children.

That is why Trump’s selection of education reformer Betsy DeVos is good news for families.  She has long been a champion for Michigan families, and she pioneered that state’s innovative charter school law.

The appointment of Betsy DeVos will lead to greater discussion of ways to expand education options.  The outlook is positive for new ideas that will shake up entrenched interests and, hopefully, end the practice of sending children to failing schools based on zip code.

As is well documented, the practice of keeping poor-performing schools afloat based on a child’s street address has a disproportionate impact on low-income and minority families, particularly in urban areas.

By contrast, charter schools and other forms of educational choice offer a way out for many families.  Washington state is leading the way with one of the best charter school laws in the country.  Charter school families have already survived mean-spirited attacks from the powerful WEA union, overcoming hostile court challenges and being affirmed by voters (in 2012) and by state lawmakers (in 2015).  Most charter schools are oversubscribed, and three new charters are scheduled to open next year.

As Education Secretary, DeVos will likely promote charter schools, Education Savings Accounts, tuition vouchers, after school tutoring, expanded online learning, and other options that give families greater access to educational opportunities. 

Education choice also makes education officials more responsive, because just the possibility of alternatives gives parents a greater voice.  For example, if parents had a voucher option they might not even use it, but at least school administrators would listen to them.  That would go a long way toward reducing the endless conflicts and disagreements that occur in local schools.

The selection of Betsy DeVos will lead to a new conversation about supporting children in charter schools, allowing family choice in education, and freeing local schools by getting rid of the unpopular Common Core mandate.  These are all encouraging signs that better days are ahead for public school families.