An attempt is made here to trace the development of Coleman's research reports and public statements. Several critical evaluations of this work are then reviewed, including one the authors have carried out. It is suggested the overall research suggests six generalizations: there has been an enormous, long term trend of whites leaving the central cities for the suburbs and blacks coming into the largest central cities. There is little or no effect of desegregation on the white flight of students in medium and smaller sized cities. There is little or no effect of desegregation on the white flight of students in metropolitan wide districts. Desegregation required by federal court orders has not had different effects on white flight from other desegregation of equal magnitude. The loss of white and black students from large urban school systems is significantly related to the proportion of black students in the systems. Extensive school desegregation in the largest, nonmetropolitan school districts, particularly in the South, may hasten the white flight of students in the first year of the process, but at least part of this effect may be compensated for in later years. Finally, attention is given to several basic issues in the conduct of social science research and the reporting of data. (Author/JM)