Homeschooling

I'm currently reading John Taylor Gatto's Underground History of American Education, which is an eccentric but eyeopening tale of how America got from near universal literacy (among blacks and whites) to extraordinary levels of illiteracy, via the introduction of compulsory schooling.

So this evening I was seeing what the blogosphere had to say on the subject and came across this amazing story.

A man and his 12-year-old daughter spent the last four years living in a remote hillside in Portland's Forest Park, police said.

[...]

[The man], a devout Christian, said he taught his daughter using [..] old encyclopedias.

[...]

A pediatrician found the girl free of any illness, any signs of physical or sexual abuse - and no cavities. A criminal background check came up empty, according to police reports. Even though the child and father lived for such a long time disconnected from society, the girl had been home schooled and was in good physical shape. In fact, the girl received a very good education from her father while living among the trees. Officials said the girl, who would be normally in 7th grade, is at a 12th grade equivalency.

So just remind me what we pay the teachers for?

Hat tip: Homeschooling Revolution