I think it's a hilarious article.
Back story:
the DCSF have been engaged on a campaign of harrassment against home educators - that's not too strong - read this time line of events ONLY COVERING THIS YEAR!!!
Badman's recommendations would allow LA staffers right of access to our homes without probable cause, and the right to forcibly interview our children alone without probable cause. Oh and the right to approve or disapprove of our educational provision depending on their prejudices. All horrible.
Now, 10 days before the consultation into the proposals closes (which I hope and trust hundreds of people will respond to with a resounding "no. Ed Balls, by the way, is a twat"), the government release a press release aimed at sugaring the pill - claiming that in 2011 they'll allow HEed children access to exam centres without charge, stuff like that. They are hoping that we'll all say "oh well in that case, of course you can take Fenella off into a room on her own and require her to "exhibit" to your dodgy staffers".
Instead, the daily mail, bless them, have leapt on the bit about extending flexischooling (lots of HEers would like flexi school arrangements at various stages in their lives, but since it's in the gift of the head teacher it's very rare - whether or not it's a good idea [smile at piscesmoon who thinks it is not] lots of people want it so they added that in their list of sugar coated carrots) and published an article which the daily mail readers all take as being an idea about school children being invited to go to school less rather than more. I think it's really funny. It's totally not a vote winner spun that way!!!