The Coleman Report and the Efficacy of Teachers

In June 1966, James Coleman and his committee on the Equality of Educational Opportunity submitted their report, commonly referred to as the Coleman Report, to the United States Congress. The report explained that a student' family background and the social composition of a school has far more influence the ability of a student to succeed educationally than the quality of the school that the student attends. This report, based on analysis of the achievement of 600, 000 students, was incredibly influential in the Twentieth Century American educational system. It prompted the common tendency of "bussing."

Coleman's report was issued forty years ago, however it continues to influence today's educational system as well. Anybody who has spoken to many teachers know that a few of them believe that their ability to positively influence student achievement is minimal. I've had teachers tell me that they don't want to challenge their students because if the students fail the challenges they will feel like failures. Other teachers have explained that they don't like discussing future opportunities with their students because too many of the students are destined for lives of poverty and lack of opportunity. These teachers have explained that it is unfair to raise false hopes. They lack efficacy. They don't believe that they can have any influence. I couldn't imagine going to a job every day in which I didn't think that I could succeed. It must be a horrible feeling for the teachers. Its even worse for students who aren't encouraged to succeed.

Certainly many inner city teachers do challenge their students. Many teachers help their students recognize that if they work hard they can develop opportunities for themselves, opportunities that their parents did not have. These teachers understand that they can make a difference. They can truly better their students' lives. These beliefs are not unfounded. After all, the American Dream has worked for thousands and thousands of people. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is just one example of an individual who lifted himself up and out of poverty. He's famous. My fatehr is another example of an individual who worked hard and achieved a social and economic status that his father never knew. Examples abound!

The Coleman report was important for its time. Its findings may be correct, in general. However, they do not apply to every single situation. Its findings must not serve as a warrant for not trying to promote the highest quality school systems possible in which students are encouraged to achieve academically and develop opportunities for themselves. Every teacher and school administrator must feel as if there situation is an exemption to the findings of the Coleman report. They must do what it takes to ensure high quality learning and achievement.

Fortunately, I don't think that I'm alone in these thoughts. Indeed numerous educational researchers and leaders are advocating these ideas. We need to continue to push them, however, until every last teachers accepts that they can make a difference. If teachers don't believe that they can make a difference, they should not be teachers.