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.
James S. ColemanChildren from a given family background, when put in schools of different social compositions, will achieve at quite different levels.
James S. ColemanCultural dominance of middle-class norms prevail in middle-class schools with a teacher teaching toward those standards and with students striving to maintain those standards.
James S. ColemanA child's learning is a function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher.
James S. Coleman