I don't think anyone, even those expressing the cons of home education against the rather uncritical and extravagant claims made by some advocates, are suggesting that it should be illegal; the original discussion, on another thread, revolved around the proposal in the UK for a minimum standard of registration and some accountability.

From a personal viewpoint, I believe that it should require registration and monitoring to ensure a minimum standard of 'ability' including a vist (with due notice as Badman recommends) to the learning environment - however much parents may protest this to be an invasion of 'privacy'

I know two children, educated in the state system who, as teenagers, are well rounded intelligent young people who, with minds of their own, are a delight to talk to as an adult and who have a wide and mutually caring group of peers.
Their parents recognized the need for involvement with the school and their mother was a parent governor for many years.

Of course there are 'failing' or underperforming schools* and some very failed parents

As has been pointed out the ability to reproduce is no guarantee of either good parenting or educating.


*like Stretford High
More than a third of Stretford High School's pupils are eligible for free school meals, English is a second language for nearly half of them, many parents are unemployed and the existing system in the LA creams off the top 30 to 40 per cent of pupils each year to grammar schools.
from The head who turned around a failing school... report in The Independent January 2008