However, here's my second. I think his point is something like this:
It's valid to report on HSers' academic excellence, since "the line" on HSing is that it gives a substandard education. Therefore, it's news when the type is bucked.
Similarly, and infinitely less happily, since "the line" (--OUR line) on HSing is that it produces kids who are as a rule better-educated, better-raised, and better-socialized, it is news when that type is bucked, too.
This bucks that type. Hence, it is news.
I reluctantly have to grant his point, if I've taken it correctly. And what it suggests further is also interesting, to wit:
I agree. It's newsworthy because it's unusual. The disciplinary problems in our public schools are getting commonplace.
I think even, or maybe especially, Christians and homeschoolers are interested in these details, because they want to know how a couple of kids brought up strictly as Christians went off the rails like this.
It's not totally surprising. We are all sinners. But it's tragic and at the same time interesting. What went wrong? What were the telltale signs? How can it be prevented in the future?