The End of the Department of Education: What It Means for Marginalized Families & Why You Should Consider Homeschooling

By Victoria Cortez, Author & Curator of Childhood Wisdom | All Good Things N More

For generations, public education has been called the “great equalizer,” promising opportunity for all children, no matter their zip code. But the reality? The system has never served all students equally. And if the Department of Education were to collapse, it won’t be wealthy families in well-resourced districts who suffer the most—it will be Black, Brown, low-income, and special-needs families who are left scrambling.

We don’t have to imagine the impact. We already see it happening. Look at what’s happening to Head Start, the federally funded early childhood education program that has served millions of low-income families for nearly 60 years.

The Closing of Head Start: A Warning Sign

Head Start was never perfect, but it gave thousands of children access to early learning, healthy meals, and developmental screenings. Now, it’s shutting down in communities across the country. Budget cuts, funding freezes, and political battles have led to program closures, leaving families without affordable childcare or preschool options.

For many working-class parents—especially single moms—Head Start was the difference between having a safe place for their kids during the day or risking their jobs because they had no childcare. It was the difference between their children starting kindergarten on track or already falling behind.

If early education programs like Head Start are being shut down, what do you think will happen to public K-12 schools if the Department of Education dissolves? Who will suffer?

The answer is clear: Black, Brown, Indigenous, and poor children.

So, what’s the solution? It’s time for marginalized families to reclaim education for ourselves.

The Problem with Public Schooling (Even Before This Crisis)

Even before the government started pulling the rug out from under families, public schools weren’t meeting the needs of Black and Brown children. The Department of Education might have existed, but that didn’t mean it was working for us.

Let’s be real:

• Black students are disproportionately suspended and expelled.

• Bilingual and immigrant students struggle with underfunded ESL programs.

• Special-needs students are ignored, restrained, and denied proper support.

• Title I schools (those serving low-income communities) are the first to lose funding.

Many of us have already watched our neighborhood schools stripped down to nothing—no librarians, no counselors, no enrichment programs—just overcrowded classrooms and exhausted teachers.

And now, with the potential collapse of the Department of Education, the situation is getting worse. Schools are closing, teachers are leaving, and funding is drying up.

If marginalized families keep waiting for the system to fix itself, our children will be the ones left behind.

This is why more families of color than ever before are turning to homeschooling and school-at-home models. We are realizing that we don’t have to beg the system to care about our kids—we can take control ourselves.

Why Homeschooling and School-at-Home Are Game Changers for Marginalized Families

When people think of homeschooling, they often picture wealthy white families with stay-at-home moms. But let’s change that narrative.

Black and Brown families have been educating our own for centuries. Before it was legal for us to read. Before desegregation. Before the government ever invested in our children.

Homeschooling isn’t new to us—it’s a return to community-driven education. It’s about taking back the power that schools and institutions have denied us.

1. We Can Teach Our Kids the Truth

Public schools whitewash history. They teach our kids that slavery was just “bad labor conditions,” that colonization was “discovery,” and that racism is a thing of the past.

When we homeschool, we get to teach:

✔ The real history of our people—not just the oppression, but the resistance.

✔ Financial literacy—because our kids deserve to understand money and generational wealth.

✔ Cultural pride and self-love—because too many kids grow up feeling disconnected from their own identity.

As I wrote in The Learning Shift:

“Education isn’t just about preparing for the future—it’s about engaging in meaningful learning today. When children develop a love for learning now, they will naturally thrive in the future.”

We don’t need schools to validate our children’s worth. We can do that ourselves.

2. We Can Protect Our Kids from the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Did you know that Black students are 3.5 times more likely to be suspended or expelled than white students for the same behaviors? That some schools have more police officers than counselors? That special-needs Black boys are more likely to end up in juvenile detention than receive an IEP?

Homeschooling removes our children from this broken system before they become another statistic. At home, they are safe.

✔ No school resource officers criminalizing them.

✔ No biased teachers underestimating them.

✔ No bullying, violence, or racial trauma.

In Raising Resilient Kids, I wrote about the importance of emotional safety:

“Children who feel safe, seen, and supported are more likely to take risks, explore new ideas, and develop emotional resilience. They learn best when they aren’t weighed down by anxiety, comparison, or the pressure to perform.”

Our kids deserve to learn in environments that lift them up, not break them down.

3. We Can Build Generational Wealth Through Education

Let’s talk about survival. Schools teach kids how to pass tests, not how to survive in the real world. If the education system collapses, our communities need to be ready.

Homeschooling allows us to teach:

✔ Entrepreneurship & financial literacy—because owning businesses changes lives.

✔ Trade skills—because college isn’t the only path to success.

✔ Health & wellness—because we deserve to live long, thriving lives.

This isn’t just about escaping a broken system—it’s about creating something better.

How to Start Homeschooling (Even If You Work or Have Limited Resources)

I won’t lie—homeschooling as a single parent, a working parent, or a low-income family takes creativity and community support. But it’s possible.

Steps to Get Started:

1️⃣ Know your state laws. Some states require paperwork, others don’t. Check your rights.

2️⃣ Choose a curriculum that works for YOU. It can be online, book-based, or totally unschooling.

3️⃣ Find a local homeschool network. Many Black and Brown homeschool groups exist—connect with them.

4️⃣ Create a flexible schedule. Homeschooling doesn’t have to be 8 AM-3 PM. It can be evenings, weekends, or whenever works.

5️⃣ Use free resources. Many libraries, museums, and online platforms offer free educational content.

Homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to teach every subject alone. It means you create a system that puts your child’s future back in your hands.

Final Thoughts: The System Won’t Save Us—So We Have to Save Ourselves

The government is failing us. Schools are closing, funding is disappearing, and the most vulnerable kids are being left behind.

We cannot wait for the Department of Education to collapse before we act. Our kids deserve better NOW.

By choosing homeschooling or school-at-home, marginalized families can reclaim power, autonomy, and a future where our children don’t just survive—but THRIVE.

Are you ready to take back education? Let’s build something better—together.

📖 Want more support? Check out The Learning Shift and Raising Resilient Kids for insights on creating a meaningful, empowering education for your child.