Conceptualizing Future Research Propositions in Education Leading to Social Mobility

Abstract

Education is much more than teaching and learning; it encompasses access to education, quality of education, equity of education and lifelong learning. One of the primary goals of education is social mobility. The purpose of this paper is to review how literature contributes to enhancing the understanding of the impact of education on social mobility by conducting a theoretical and empirical literature survey. Based on the reviewed literature, theory-informed propositions are presented to guide further examination of these connections. The propositions are centred on the premise that education strongly influences social mobility while integrating access, quality, equity and lifelong learning. Therefore, the propositions were developed relating these integrating concepts with social mobility. An overview of the related theoretical perspectives is presented. More than 30 research articles on social mobility and education were reviewed, and access to education, quality of education, education equity and lifelong learning are vital in affecting social mobility. Propositions were derived based on these findings. When considering all these propositions together, it provides a robust framework for future research to be carried out on education and social mobility. It provides a foundation for gaining in-depth knowledge and understanding of social mobility.