The superintendent of Abilene Independent School District has strongly criticized Texas’s newly passed education voucher law, calling it a “colossal mistake” that will hurt public schools and students across the state.
Superintendent Dr. David Young did not hold back when speaking about the law. He said it’s going to take away valuable funding from already under-resourced public schools and give it to private and religious schools that don’t have to follow the same rules.
“This is not what Texans want,” Dr. Young said firmly. “This is not good for kids. This is not good for Texas.”
Under this new law, families will be able to use public money to help pay for private school tuition. The program gives eligible students about $8,000 per year to use at private or religious schools, and in some cases for homeschooling.
Supporters of the law say it gives parents more choices and control over their child’s education. But critics like Dr. Young say it’s unfair and could deeply damage the public school system.
Dr. Young said public schools are already doing their best with tight budgets and limited staff. If money is taken away from them, it will be even harder to provide quality education for every child. “This is a direct attack on public education,” he said.
The superintendent also questioned the fairness of the law. He said private schools are not required to take all students, especially those with disabilities, behavioral issues, or learning challenges. “Public schools take everyone, no matter what,” Dr. Young said. “We don’t get to pick and choose.”
He also pointed out that private schools aren’t held to the same standards. Public schools must give state tests, follow curriculum rules, and meet specific graduation requirements.
Private schools don’t have to do any of that. “How can we compare the two when the rules are completely different?” he asked.
Dr. Young warned that the new law could divide the state even more. He said it may widen the gap between students from wealthy families and those from low-income backgrounds.
Families who already send their children to private schools will now get financial support from the government, while students in struggling public schools will get even less help.
“This is not about giving parents a choice,” Dr. Young said. “This is about taking resources away from the public school system that serves over 90% of Texas students.”
He also criticized lawmakers for ignoring the voices of educators and parents. “We’ve been clear. Teachers, principals, and school leaders across Texas have spoken out against this law, but our concerns were pushed aside.”
The superintendent said it’s especially frustrating that the Texas Legislature passed this bill during a time when schools are facing serious challenges—staff shortages, mental health issues among students, and learning gaps from the pandemic. “We need support, not cuts,” he said.
Dr. Young ended his statement by urging the community to stay involved and speak up. “Our schools belong to us. They belong to the people of Texas. We must protect them,” he said. “If we don’t stand up now, we’ll regret it later.”
As Texas begins to roll out this new voucher program, debates over school funding and education policy are likely to continue. But for Dr. Young and many others in public education, one thing is clear—they believe this law is a step in the wrong direction.