By Dawn Montgomery
Earlier this year, in March, the current President signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education. If carried out, this will completely change the landscape of public education at all levels. Ninety percent of students attend public K-12 schools. Despite funding tied to a student’s zip code, Black communities have always found ways to educate each other, and we have routinely chosen where we learn. Church schools, homeschooling, as well as charter or private schools, are part of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These various forms of educational institutions still exist today.
However, opponents of school choice rarely center Black and Brown communities in their arguments. Meanwhile, some proponents use White America’s fears to exclude us from these options. There’s a shift happening where more Black parents are sharing why they’re pulling their children out of certain school districts across the country.
Some of these schools have used funding to hire additional school resource officers and to purchase more metal detectors to enhance surveillance. For example, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently announced $160 million in funding in order to enhance school safety in the Commonwealth. In October, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced $9.01 million in grants are available for school safety. In Georgia, each school will receive $61,000 for safety upgrades, upon the passage of House Bill 268 – the Comprehensive School Safety & Student Well-being Act. The State of Georgia also set aside $20 million for student behavioral health and $7 million to hire student advocacy specialists. Parents believe in protecting their children.
One of the most common reasons why Black parents choose to homeschool is that the public-school environment is no longer a good fit for their child. Why? Some public schools don’t have the resources to help students who struggle with behavior or learning challenges. In other instances, city and state governments view education as a zero-sum game. As a result, parents will stress to administrators and the media that they believe they can better support their children compared to the public education system.
We all have that right, and we should all have that privilege in this country. Supporting diverse educational options for our children fosters innovation, healthy competition, and promotes school choice.
Too many parents are forced to watch their kids become just another number in a school system shaped by systemic racism and unequal resources. These schools don’t see the whole child—they never have. Therefore, it’s important to encourage everyone to explore other options.
If the Trump Administration is successful in taking a meat cleaver to the Department of Education, parents can’t afford to wait and see what happens. The time to understand school choice is now, before the system around us changes. School choice can empower families, and it’s okay to seek out the best educational environment that serves your child. Here’s what you can do right now to prepare for this shift so that your family won’t be left behind.
Start Local: Show Up and Engage
Show up to your local school board meetings to hear what’s being discussed and meet other parents. These spaces often serve as hubs for sharing insights about available school choice programs. In many districts, options already exist—but families must ask questions and seek out details. School choice resources are available in most public-school districts.
However, school choice isn’t uniform across the country. The options available depend on state laws and district policies:
- States like Georgia and Florida have public choice and voucher systems, including Educational Savings Accounts and tax-credit scholarships.
- Meanwhile, the State of California focuses mainly on intra-district transfers, magnet schools, and charter schools, but does not offer vouchers or ESA programs.
- Open enrollment policies differ widely in terms of eligibility, transportation, and capacity constraints.
Build Your Network: Connect and Share Knowledge
Once you’ve learned about the options available in your county, city, and state, consider sharing that information with others. Partner with community groups, churches, and non-profit organizations to help raise awareness. You must create your own educational community if you aren’t invited to join one. This network will help you explore the available resources and prepare for the next school year.
Think Bigger: Create What Doesn’t Exist
Federal agencies haven’t provided much clarity beyond vague talking points about reducing bureaucracy. But relying on guidance from Washington means waiting too long. Instead, bring students and parents together to share what’s actually working on the ground.
When you create space for real conversations about educational experiences, what succeeded, and what failed, communities can design creative and effective approaches to learning. You’ll address educational gaps that may help create better schools and programs for everyone. If what you need doesn’t exist in your area, you can build it. There are microschools flourishing across this country. Reach out to learn what’s working for their communities.
We don’t have to start from scratch. If we explore how we can help each other with what already exists among school choice options, we won’t be caught off guard when the Department of Education falls. Our children depend on us to help them identify the best institutions, and we have established schools for them in this space.
