However, you're clueless about who homeschoolers are. They are the farthest thing from elite you can imagine. In fact, they are largely below the poverty line - willingly. They are largely underemployed and many try to have some kind of sideline business - think Amway and you've got some idea. It is almost a characteristic amongst HS’ers to pass on where the specials are, stocking-up tips, thrift stores bargains and, yes, even dumpster diving for some (the rest are too polite to discuss things like that) The point is, we know how to live on margins. They sacrifice the two income middle-class lifestyle deliberately to live in poverty (so government figures say) to do what they want - that is freedom, no?
On the issue of being able to do it, all of us go through this fear and the guilt associated with it. In time, I think most HS’ers would agree that HS’ing is nothing more than maintaining family harmony and consistency with your ideals. Truth is, THAT alone is what most HS’ers are trying to pass along. The improved academic performance (not guaranteed) is a byproduct of a balanced and traditional home. Most of us believe God created the family as the source of instruction and training. It follows that following God's principles in our own lives is absolutely paramount.
You're right, however, about working on a plan for public schools - they are needed. I'm fine with him living his example, but we absolutely do need public education - just not public union and federally controlled education.
I disagree. Moving toward privatization should begin immediately. Vouchers, charters, tax credits, and allowing government teachers to “charterize” their existing government schools can be a means toward complete privatization. ( Green Dot schools in Los Angeles is an example of this.)
All savings by privatizing should be immediately refunded to the taxpayers, and all taxes **permanently** reduced.
Gradually,( over a generation), parents should be expected to pay the true cost of their child's education and the amounts of vouchers, and tax credits reduced until there is no government involvement in education whatsoever and charity cares for the poor.
Sports, theater, music, art, etc. should be turned over to the county parks and recreation, or ( better yet) privatized.
There is one segment of the population that needs special attention: The catastrophically handicapped child.
Most of the educational expenses for the profoundly handicapped child is not from the teaching. It comes from the nursing care, very expensive equipment, and therapy that these children need. These are not education expenses but **medical** costs. Each child should have part of his health insurance plan “catastrophic “ coverage for his education in the event he is born seriously disabled or becomes so later in childhood.