as a teacher, I have met many home- schooled children. Many have been well adjusted children , but a huge percentage of these children have found the work difficult. I have worked in both primary and secondary schools. When these children have re-entered primary school, many have usually managed to catch up within about a year.However,some enter secondary school still finding the work difficult - because things are moving on while they are trying to "fill in the gaps". However, the vast majority of school returners I have met have been in secondary school.They have returned because their parents feel unable to teach them to the standards required - and have realised that their children need qualifications if they want to have more freedom of choice when looking at careers(This is unfortunately a hard fact of life in our society).Many of these children have been disadvantaged when they have returned, because they have fallen well behind over the years. I have known a number of these children who have grown to resent their parents because they "Let them down".This is really sad. Their parents felt they were doing what was right. Everything was done for the best motives, and the children in most cases had enjoyed their time at home.
Home schooling can be extremely valuable, but it is not to be entered into lightly. It has a far reaching effect on the children involved, and they are the ones who finally have to face the consequences if they have a substandard education - not the parents.