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Parents educating children at home will be subjected to tighter controls amid fears that many young people receive little or no tuition.
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Some studies estimate as many as 150,000
school-age children are educated at home
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A record number of parents are thought to be educating their children at home because of mounting disillusionment with state schools.
The Government's own research reveals that the number of young people withdrawn from school is on the increase following concern over indiscipline and the quality of lessons.
Researchers found records of 16,000 home-schooled children - nearly three times as many as eight years ago - although numbers are likely to be much higher as many parents choose not to register with local councils. Some studies estimate as many as 150,000 school-age children are taught at home.
However, officials fear that many do little or no work as parents use home education as a front for truancy.
In the first guidelines designed to regulate home education, the Department for Education tells parents that attending school is not compulsory but they must ensure children receive a "full-time education".
Under the rules, parents are not required to register home-schooled children with the local authority. They do not have to be qualified, equip premises to a particular standard, teach the National Curriculum or have fixed timetables.
"Some parents, especially those who have other children attending school, may wish to provide education in a formal or structured manner, following a traditional timetable that keeps to school hours and terms," it says.
"Other parents may decide to make more informal provision that is responsive to the developing interests of their child. One approach is not necessarily more effective than another."
The guidance says that councils do not have the power to enter homes to carry out spot checks, but they do have a new duty to identify children in danger of missing education.
This comes amid growing concerns from some charities that as many as a quarter of home-educated children receive inadequate tuition.
Recent cases found by councils included one boy with learning difficulties who was unable to speak properly or write his name by the age of 10, despite claims that he was being home-educated.
The guidance says that education must be suitable for a child's age, ability and any special needs. Resources and materials should be provided. In a further development, adults must play an active role in children's education, rather than leaving them to complete work-sheets all day.
The guidance says that councils should intervene if they have concerns over standards of education. They can then ask parents to submit projects, assessment, books and field trip diaries to satisfy local authority inspectors.
Parents failing to meet official requirements may be taken to court and issued with a school attendance order - forcing children to attend a state school.
The draft proposals, which are out to consultation until the end of July, have been broadly welcomed by home education groups, who hailed the decision not to make registration compulsory.
Ann Newstead, a spokesman for Education Otherwise, said: "It is heart-warming for families to have their choices recognised in this way." | 
