James Comer, MD, MPH

I participated in the process of changing two inner-city low-income elementary schools from chaos to stability and academic and social achievement. Through the School Development Program, we helped staff develop a framework for change that created a culture that supported overall student development and academic learning. We believe that development and academic learning are inextricably linked. This project has been utilized in more than 1000 schools in 82 districts in 26 states. We have expanded our work to middle and high schools; and to teacher and administrator preparatory programs and policy makers. I am interested in the psychological and social impact of our Program on the children involved, their families, school staff, and the community.

I am interested in the historical and contemporary economic and resultant political, economic, and social circumstances contributing to black and white racial conflict in America.

I am interested in the traditional and new issues involved in child rearing as a result of scientific and technological changes in society since the 1940s. I have a special interest in the rearing of Black children.

Since 1998 we have been interested in involving entire school systems in using our School Development Program to facilitate student and staff development and improved achievement. We developed partnerships with universities and school districts to facilitate the application of child and adolescent development principles in pre-service preparation and in in-service work. Based on our findings we have increasingly engaged in work designed to inform education policy and advocacy among policy makers, practice leaders, and education consumers.

• The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as Co-Chair of an Expert Panel on Increasing the Application of Knowledge About Child and Adolescent Development in Educator Preparation Programs;
• The Education Voters Institute, whose mission envisions a nation in which every child graduates from high school prepared for college, civic engagement, and success in life;
• The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, education consultant;
• The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Board of Directors;
• The Teachers College, Trustee Board; Columbia University;
• Convener of The Forum;
• as well as numerous other research and information activities with education policymakers in both the State and Federal legislation, and with staff members of the Connecticut State Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education.