Good question - why would the state care? I happen to live in a state that doesn’t care (so far), so we can do whatever we want. Other states aren’t as easy. For example, in my state, homeschool parents make up their own high school transcripts. Young teens can take college courses without an “official” high school diploma. Other states might restrict homeschoolers from doing those things.
In addition to the reasons already given by other homeschoolers here, another reason we’ve opted not to use a cyberschool or correspondence school is the expense. I’ve checked into them. Many cost thousands of dollars each year per child. I could put my kids in a private school for what some of them are asking.
The least expensive one I was able to find costs around $500/year per child (if I remember correctly). We discussed that one: We could stretch our budget and manage to afford it for our three children, but then they wouldn’t be able to do all of the other activities - homeschool cooperatives, sports, etc. - where they meet with other kids.
Another problem is that, if we spend a lot of money on one entire package, we’re stuck with that package, even if it’s not working for our child(ren) that year.
But cyberschools/correspondence schools do work for many other homeschool families. Many do use them.
The issue that I have is that future employers, the military and colleges still do put value on that HS Diploma. I agree that when government HS graduates can’t parse a sentence or deliver correct change that calls the value of that HS Diploma into question. It just isn’t a home education world yet.
The value of that HS diploma varies on the situation and available resources to obtain it.
Out of curiosity, do you recall which programs impressed you as being a relatively good choice?