Swilkie – I don’t think you will find much interest in social responsibility among those who have chosen to do things outside the system. Unfortunately self interest is now the norm in the wider community too – many parents send their children to private schools so as not to have to deal with the issues and even the public system finds it harder and harder to get parents involved unless their children are directly affected. It is a case of out of sight out of mind. The same applies to health care which no-one really bothers about until they or a family member becomes sick. Parents are ever more protective of their children to the extent that the next generation of young adults is likely to be a bunch of spoilt brats who live off their parents for as long as possible. Personally I believe it will take a major hike in interest rates for people to really value what they should be getting for free.

I find it so sad that children in less privileged families will eventually be denied the kind of education that can change lives. Eco is right that any real change must come from the top which means we, as voters, have the power to change things - so PLEASE write to your MP if you care enough about public education. It would be especially helpful if those who homeschool do so as you obviously feel very strongly that the school system is broken.

For too long we have relied on the Teachers Federation to make a stand which, given their very left wing bias, emphasis on teacher’s rights and some very dubious education policies, has only served to alienate themselves from the community

Sadly Sajo, in your haste to once more attack someone who is pro home education you have not checked your facts.
Firstly I have a degree in history. From your previous posts you would seem to have a back ground in Occupational Health and Safety. Unfortunately many in this county get much of their historical knowledge from documentaries. Much of this material is subjective, erroneous or does not look at a subject in depth.
The decline in literacy is a common topic of discussion amongst educated people. Literacy is on the decline both here and overseas. This is a fact, and is supported by much research.
Charles Dickens was much enjoyed by the masses and serialised in newspapers of the day, for all to enjoy. Today his work is considered great literature, as our standards have declined.
Shakespeare’s plays were performed mainly at the Globe theatre in London, and were enjoyed and understood by all levels of society. Today his work is incomprehensible to many people, again because of the decline in education, and the widening of the educational divide.

Sajo, I think you should cease these attacks, and have more respect for a parents right to choose the education that best suits their children. You say that you are not against home education and yet your posts prove otherwise. I do not understand the vehemence that you have displayed towards this movement, it would seem that you have an agenda here, but what it is I cannot discern as your position changes with each post

Completely off topic, but I have to point out, TonyC, that the main reason why Dickens and Shakespeare are considered difficult is not because 'standards have declined', but because language structure, spelling and word use has changed so much in the 400 years since Shakespeare, and the 200-odd years since Dickens. Probably in another 200 years Harry Potter will be considered to be written in difficult and archaic language!

Actually Laurie, Dickens popularity was at it’s height only about 160 years ago. Therefore the use of language is not so archaic, that we cannot grasp it’s meaning today. The decline in mass appeal for these works grows not out of the change in English language, but out of a decline in people’s ability to use the English language.
The language of Shakespeare was not the language of the common man, (although it is a frequent mistake that it was). However it was still understood by the majority of the population.
One only has to look at letters written centuries ago, and compare to letters of today to see that use of language has declined and literary standards have dropped.. The works of Shakespeare and Dickens are often raised in many articles and papers that decry the falling standards in literacy.

sajo is way off target and shows considerable ignorance of the nature of the homeschooling community by saying "I don’t think you will find much interest in social responsibility among those who have chosen to do things outside the system."

Outside what system? Just because our children don't go to the local public or private school doesn't mean they are outside of the education system. Surely the emphasis should be on quality rather than where - the place - that education takes place. The trend in forward thinking and acting schools and education departments is to utilise the community more as valuable educational resources, with student placings in the community and volunteers and business people invited into schools to work with students.

In addition, in South Australia you have to be enrolled to be exempted - this is the only way to legally homeschool, thus our children are actually firmly within the state education system. In this way the Minister for Education is ultimately responsible for the education of our children, no different from any other student.

Homeschooling families are usually very active in their communities, often volunteering their time with environmental groups, health and charity organisations. They see this work as an integral aspect of the education of their children, as well as giving service.

Comments regarding wealth are just as absurd: homeschooling is taken up by a wide cross-section of the community. Single parents on benefits homeschool. Single parents who work part-time homeschool, with a little bit of juggling. Sure, at a glance it looks like most two parent families opt to sacrifice material wealth so one parent can stay home full-time, but you'll find that many of these supplement income by working from home. Work is not an impediment to homeschooling for many families

Sajo wrote: “I may well be stereotyping but it is not racist.”

Sajo, to stereotype someone is a racist act, as you are prejudging them on the basis of their race. Hence the term prejudice.
Speaking of prejudice, why do you keep attacking homeschoolers on this forum? To the impartial eye, it would seem that you are perhaps bored, or lonely or both. The amount of time you seem to be spending on posting malicious comments would perhaps be better spent in other pursuits.
Alas, for the want of anything better to do, I am sure you will return tomorrow with more malevolence.