Comparing Views on Education Reform: Class Size and Homeschooling

Introduction

John Rosemond's article Smaller Classes Not Always Better and Cal Thomas's article Homeschooling Can Be New 'Exodus' offer two distinct and thought-provoking perspectives on education in America. Thomas's article urges parents to pull their children out of what he calls "Godless" public schools and enroll them in private Christian academies or homeschool them. While his concern for instilling values in children has merit, the article is undermined by a disturbing sense of moral self-righteousness and a failure to account for the financial realities facing low-income families. Rosemond's article, by contrast, argues that small class sizes do not necessarily lead to better student performance, and that discipline plays a far more significant role. However, his piece is tainted by an offensive allegation that teachers advocate for smaller classes only out of a desire for political power rather than genuine concern for students.

In Smaller Classes Not Always Better, John Rosemond argues that smaller class sizes are not meaningfully linked to improved student performance, and that classroom discipline and student behavior are the true drivers of academic achievement. The most agreeable aspect of his column is his recognition of the role that discipline and orderly behavior play in creating a productive learning environment. His most striking assertion, however, is the claim that class size has essentially no relationship to student performance.

Rosemond on Class Size and Discipline

My reaction to this claim is one of skepticism. The evidence Rosemond uses to support it appears to be largely anecdotal rather than grounded in educational theory or empirical research. While his core point about discipline may have validity, the absence of rigorous evidence makes it difficult to accept his broader conclusions about class size at face value.

Rosemond closes his article with the suggestion that members of the National Education Association are pressing for smaller class sizes primarily to gain political clout rather than to benefit students. This is a deeply insulting allegation. Educators who genuinely sought political influence would be more likely to pursue careers in politics or business than in teaching. The claim that educators routinely place political interests above the needs of their students is not supported and reads as an unfair smear on the profession.

The NEA Allegation and Its Effect on Credibility

This kind of inflammatory rhetoric has a practical consequence: it makes readers less willing to engage seriously with Rosemond's other arguments, some of which may contain a legitimate kernel of insight. By ending on such a divisive note, Rosemond undermines the credibility of his overall analysis.

Cal Thomas's article, Homeschooling Can Be New 'Exodus', urges parents affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention to act on the Convention's recommendation to remove their children from public schools. Thomas calls on the Convention's 17 million members to place their children in private Christian academies or to homeschool them. His argument is framed around concerns about moral and spiritual development.

Thomas on Homeschooling and Christian Education

My initial reaction was that this call was likely motivated by the ongoing national conversation about education reform and the No Child Left Behind Act, combined with a desire to raise children within a distinctly Christian framework. However, as the article continues, it becomes clear that an underlying hostility toward public schools and secular society shapes much of Thomas's thinking. For example, the text of the resolution that informs Thomas's argument states: "the government schools are adopting curricula and policies teaching that the homosexual lifestyle is acceptable... And homosexual organizations are present as student 'clubs' in thousands of government schools and spreading rapidly..." (cited in Thomas). Thomas also quotes an essay by Shortt, which asserts that "Government schools are converting our children to alien creeds and infusing them with false and destructive values." Another source cited by Thomas, an article by Pinckney, refers to a "spiritual and intellectual disorder that now inhabits the souls and minds of too many offspring of Christian parents."

I do not object to Thomas's position that parents should instill their own moral values in their children — this is an argument that is easy to support. Teaching children the beliefs and ethics of their family is a reasonable and widely shared goal. However, the judgmental and disapproving undertone that runs throughout Thomas's article — and occasionally becomes an explicit statement — is troubling. Furthermore, his implication that public schools have entirely failed to teach children any ethics or morals is unfounded. The ethical frameworks that public schools promote, such as tolerance and inclusion, simply differ from the ones Thomas endorses.

Conclusion

Both Rosemond and Thomas advance a number of controversial claims in their respective articles. While Rosemond's potentially interesting arguments about discipline and class size are overshadowed by his unfair allegation against teachers, Thomas's article is weakened by its tone of moral judgment and its failure to reckon with the financial realities facing ordinary families. Both pieces would benefit from a more measured, evidence-based approach.

Rosemond, John. Smaller Classes Not Always Better.

Thomas, Cal. Homeschooling Can Be New 'Exodus'.