By James Williams, Editor-in-Chief

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor did more than just allow parents to opt their kids out of LGBTQ-inclusive story hour—it exposed the uncomfortable truth about public education in America: the system is no longer designed to serve all families. And that’s exactly why families deserve School Choice.

In a 6–3 decision, the Court sided with religious parents in Maryland who said their rights were violated when their public school removed opt-out options for LGBTQ-themed content. The conservative majority, led by Justice Alito, declared that schools must accommodate religious objections to curriculum. But it was Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent that cut to the core of the problem.

“Public education will not survive,” she wrote, “if school districts must vet every lesson for potential offense against every religious worldview.”

She’s right. The system is breaking. Not because of any one group, but because public education is trying to be everything to everyone—and in doing so, it’s failing everyone.

I get the argument from the liberal justices. Public schools are government institutions, and that means they have a duty to provide inclusive education that reflects the diversity of our society. That includes teaching about LGBTQ people, Black history, immigration, and other lived experiences that shape this country. Justice Sotomayor reminded us that this kind of inclusion isn’t radical—it’s foundational. Schools are meant to prepare students to live in a pluralistic world, not a bubble.

But here’s the reality: not every family agrees with what’s being taught in public schools. And those families deserve a legitimate way out.

If parents believe their values are being ignored or challenged, they shouldn’t be forced to stay in a system that no longer represents them. That’s why I support School Choice. Not just the ability to homeschool or enroll in religious schools—but real, accessible options backed by tax credits and vouchers. Because in today’s America, the freedom to choose your child’s education should not depend on your income.

My parents sent me to a religious-based school because they didn’t agree with the public system at the time. That was their right, but it came at a cost. Today, families shouldn’t have to make financial sacrifices to align their child’s education with their values.

This ruling doesn’t fix the problem—it just exposes it. Public education is fractured. Teachers are being turned into legal referees, school boards are drowning in lawsuits, and students are left caught in the middle of cultural wars they didn’t ask for. Whether you support inclusive curriculum or want out of it entirely, one thing is clear: the system is no longer sustainable for all.

So let’s be honest. If you want out, opt all the way out. But don’t gut the public school system while you stay in it. Support School Choice. Fund vouchers. Empower parents. Let education funding follow the child—not the bureaucracy.

Justice Sotomayor is sounding the alarm. She’s warning that public education is at risk of collapse. But if we respond with meaningful School Choice, we don’t have to lose the mission—we can just give families a better path forward.