Equality of Educational Opportunity

by James S. Coleman

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1979

About the author

James Samuel Coleman was an American sociologist, theorist, and empirical researcher, based chiefly at the University of Chicago. He was elected president of the American Sociological Association. He studied the sociology of education and public policy, and was one of the earliest users of the term "social capital." His Foundations of Social Theory influenced sociological theory. His "The Adolescent Society" (1961) and "Coleman Report" (Equality of Educational Opportunity, 1966) were two of the most cited books in educational sociology. The landmark Coleman Report helped transform educational theory, reshape national education policies, and it influenced public and scholarly opinion regarding the role of schooling in determining equality and productivity in the United States.

Reviews

[Steven Peterson]

Thje original version of this was an important point in the development of discussion about what works and what does not work in successfully educating American students. Some policy choices that don't work are rather surprising. What works? This book was a work that spawned considerable debate and had an impact on policy discourse.