I'm loving your blog. It is a great resource for those considering leaving the public school system. I have forwarded it to several people.

how scary an idea is that: parents who would "harm" their children in order to appear "normal?" what if a whole society was filled with families like that?

i feel sick.

I agree whole heartedly, and have been privileged to observe my sister home-school her two daughters from pre-school through sixth grade (so far). Paul Goodman wrote a critique of western conventional education systems in 1962, titled "Compulsory Mis-education." It is compelling reading, even more relevant today.
As a former teacher, and current social worker, I was attracted to your title because I have espoused for a long while that much of the reason our educational system is doing so poorly, is that so many of the children in these classrooms have unstable homes and communities. Educational reform really must begin outside of schools, in part by establishing stable and safe homes and communities for all of our children. Only until then, can children's minds be available for educational pursuits, instead of merely day to day survival.

I really would like to leave a comment on how I enjoy your articles! It is a wonderful contribution to what is so necessary to be discussed.

I'm coming to believe that education-as-business may be the primary overlooked reason why schools will not change significantly. Entrenched bureaucracies always work to protect and expand their territory, and the economic importance of the education business ensures that all attempts to bring about real change will be shaken off, and even criminalized, if necessary.

I am a home school mother who mostly follows the un-school philosophy, but I still revert and feel pressure to have my kids "produce" some work (especially in the math department). It is really great to read your comments and others like it to help keep the pressure demons away.