With regards to the home schooling question, I don't believe the lack of oversight is a government decision. There have been many legal challenges against state regulations that have been won by homeschooling advocates. Basically they claim it is a constitutional right for parents to educate their children without bureaucratic interference.
The California HomeSchool Association has a dense page of legal information. It shows that most home school parents establish a licensed 'private school' just like the Turpins did. http://www.hsc.org/the-legality-of-private-homeschooling-in-california.html
There's also a Home School Legal Defense Fund that will support lawsuits against any government that tries to restrict home schooling. https://www.hslda.org/about/
The California HomeSchool Association has a dense page of legal information. It shows that most home school parents establish a licensed 'private school' just like the Turpins did. http://www.hsc.org/the-legality-of-private-homeschooling-in-california.html
There's also a Home School Legal Defense Fund that will support lawsuits against any government that tries to restrict home schooling. https://www.hslda.org/about/