I must admit I have conflicting views about home schooling. We don´t have it here in Iceland any more, although I have heard of instances. Most people would think it out of the question as there has never been any public debate about it. I have read about it in america and scandinavia and it looks good, but there is a danger.
European countries have a small evangelical christian groups that could benefit from homeschooling, but the group that is mostly likely to benefit are the muslims who are no longer a small group. I have heard from scandinavia that it has been used by them and it has hindered assimilation into the society, kids not even learning the adopted countries language.
Of course I wan´t religious liberty but sadly the muslim communities are becoming a threat to state security in Europe, assimilation is one way to counter that. Even though I would want christians to use such schools to strengthen the foundation of the native populations I am afraid we can´t “discriminate” by allowing certein groups to teach at home but not others.
I have read the argument you make against homeschooling in Europe many times before. I don't see that government schooling is accomplishing the assimilation of Muslims in Europe. I think having children learn the national language is not sufficient to ensure they won't be a threat to state security. I doubt that all or most unassimilated or dangerous muslims in Europe are the product of homeschooling, at least I haven't seen any data supporting that.
Does Europe not allow privately-run schools?
Yes, schools in Europe have done a bang-up job assimilating Muslims so far...
In the United States of America there are schools that are soooooooo unsafe that it would be better for a child to never attend even if it meant that the child remained illiterate and innumerate. I **seriously** mean it.
Next...Our government schools teach ( by law) a godless worldview. They teach children, every minute of every day, to think and evaluate the world around them in a godless manner. Given the amount of time a child spends in school, traveling to and from, in school activities, with homework, and playing with school friends, there is very little time in a child's day for a parent to counteract this godless worldview. Statistics show that 85% of children from active church attending families are NOT active in their faith 2 years after graduation. In contrast, homeschoolers are more than 95% likely to BE active in their faith.
As for Muslims:
You have an immigration problem not a school problem. The first place to look to solve this problem is to fix immigration. If you need workers and immigrants look to South and Central America.
Also....The very **best** defense against the threat of Islam is a population that is **STRONG** in its Christian faith. The best place to raise up righteous Christians is in the HOME and ( only if necessary) in a private Christian school of the family's denomination.
Finally,...My own children were homeschooled. By the age of 13, 12, and 13 they were in college. By the age of 15 they had finished all their general college requirements and Calculus III. The two younger were finished with their B.S. degrees in math by the age of 18. One of these was **teaching*** in college at 18 as part of her masters program.
My oldest also excelled in his endeavors. He is an internationally ranked athlete. Since he has been 15 he has literally supported himself through coaching. He worked for some years for our church in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia and is **fluent** in Russian. He will soon finish his masters degree in accounting at an age typical for a young adult who was institutionalized for their education. He trains every day in his sport and has recently placed very high in our national competition.
If my children had been institutionalized for their education these accomplishments would have been impossible.