One argument against homeschooling:
For a very long time, educational
systems have been a necessity. Rav
Yehudah gives credit to Joshua Ben
Gamla for starting schools: "...if it
were not for him Torah would have been
forgotten from Israel" (Baba
Bathra 21a). An enforced
educational program from a young age was
needed to prevent the less fortunate
from illiteracy and ignorance.
Modern lifestyle and conventions
generally do not allow for home
tutoring in lieu of schooling.
"Kindergarten to 12th grade" is
then the only possibility. But
if standard education is not adapted to
the inclinations of each pupil, it
will have many failures.
LJH Response
The above view admits that homeschooling is the ideal (lifestyle permitting) endeavor. But should lifestyle really be the main consideration for schooling our children? Modern lifestyles and conventions have never been valid excuses for neglecting Judaism. SO why should they be excuses for neglecting our children's best interests. If anything, it is the lifestyle that needs to accommodate and conform to Torah --not the other way around. With this in mind, the choice to homeschool should be made in this light.
R. Joshua's reason for starting schools does not lock us into the concept of today's modern "day school".