I’m sure all the examples you listed have happened, and that sucks for those kids. Shame on those parents.

> But what about for the parents and kids where it is hard?

If it’s too hard, then public school is right there for you take advantage of. I went to public school and it was just fine.

A walk in the park, identifying plants, studying birds and other wildlife, can be "we did biology today". I went to school and I basically learnt zero biology in all 12 years of school. I didn't have a ton of interest and I didn't have good teachers. You learn very little at school in general which is something you find out in your first year of university.

I had to make up a final exam at school for a subject I didn't take. I covered the entire material for 2 years in a couple of weeks and passed the final. That's pretty much my experience of school- 2 weeks worth of material stretched over 2 years. A glorified daycare system. How can you teach a class of 25 young individuals where 90% couldn't care less, anything?

That said I agree this (EDIT: homeschooling) is not for everyone and not everyone does it for the right reasons.

My concern is primarily around standards of education.

If your government school gave your kids wonderful educations with excellent curriculum, more power to you.

The issue I have is that's not universal. It's that I've seen far too many examples of high school graduates that are illiterate.