The fact that some children get a poor education is indisputable -- that goes for homeschooled and public schooled kids. What checks and balances could actually prevent this? Public schools have gone to more and more and more standardized tests (most AK homeschoolers aren't independent and also take these) and attempts to legislate that everyone score well. How well does that work? As for homeschoolers, you could add more paperwork. Some states do. Someone willing to hide their kids in the basement is probably cool with fudging or skipping the paperwork. Internet forums abound with instructions on how to get through paperwork hoops. Do we send inspectors to every home? Whose standards do they use? "Checks and Balances" is a good idea, truly, but only if we think through what checks are effective, practical, and don't cause more harm than they prevent. Ideas?