James S. Coleman

In a high school, the norms act to hold down the achievements of those who are above average, so that the school's demands will be at a level easily maintained by the majority.

Children from a given family background, when put in schools of different social compositions, will achieve at quite different levels.

The present structure of rewards in high schools produces a response on the part of an adolescent social system which effectively impedes the process of education.

Examples would indeed be excellent things were not people so modest that none will set, and so vain that none will follow them.

I've never been in a competition before, and I said I'm going to go. I think - I just love to sing.

That strategy of buy and hold, which is the sound and sensible one for the individual, can have very dangerous and perverse effects for the market as a whole.