Thanks for the post, Chaos, it was good reading. My kids are lucky to be in an above average public school and I bet 1/2 to 2/3 of their day is still wasted. For my fourth grader, it's likely to get worse because this year they have to spend time each week learning how to take the assessment test the state requires at the end of the year. So, rather than learning to think, they'll be learning specifically how to pass a certain test.
We know many home schoolers and the "lack of socialization" argument is an empty one if the parents are responsible. Parents do swap training. A local museum offers home-schooler science class. A local YWCA offers home-schooler gym class. The nature preserve offers home-schooler field trips. There are also things like AYSO soccer, scouts, dance class, etc... If a home-schooled child fails to get socialized, it's his or her parent's fault and it isn't because of home-schooling.
