Neal McCluskey

Neal McCluskey is a recognized authority on education policy and school choice, serving as director of the Cato Institute Center for Educational Freedom. In this capacity, McCluskey has contributed to national discussions on public education reform, advocating for increased flexibility and autonomy for families, students, and communities. His academic background includes an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, where he double-majored in government and English, a master's degree in political science from Rutgers University, Newark, and a doctorate in public policy from George Mason University.

McCluskey's professional experience spans several sectors within education and public policy. Prior to joining the Cato Institute, he worked as a policy analyst at the Center for Education Reform, taught high school English, reported on municipal government and education as a freelance journalist, and served in the U.S. Army. This diverse background informs his perspective on the complexities of the American education system.

McCluskey is the author of "The Fractured Schoolhouse: Reexamining Education for a Free, Equal, and Harmonious Society" and "Feds in the Classroom: How Big Government Corrupts, Cripples, and Compromises American Education." He is also co-editor of volumes such as "School Choice Myths: Setting the Record Straight on Education Freedom" and "Unprofitable Schooling: Examining Causes of, and Fixes for, America's Broken Ivory Tower." In "Fighting for the Freedom to Learn," McCluskey explores the historical context of educational freedom in the United States, featuring contributions from education scholars and examining the ongoing debate over school choice.

In addition to his books, McCluskey maintains Cato's Public Schooling Battle Map, an interactive database documenting values and identity-based conflicts in public schools. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of School Choice and the editorial advisory board of The Line, a journal focused on civil discourse in K–12 policy debates. His commentary and research have appeared in Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Forbes. McCluskey has also provided analysis on PBS, CNN, Fox News Channel, and various radio programs, contributing to public understanding of education reform, school choice, and education policy in the United States.