Opportunity in America: Does Education Promote Social Mobility?

America has long been viewed as “the land of opportunity,” a place where, with hard work, most people can succeed, regardless of their family background. However, opportunity has not been available to all. Because education is usually thought to be an important force for promoting upward mobility, we have critically examined the role of preschool education, K-12 education, and higher education in promoting mobility. The program also featured a panel of journalists who have written extensively on social mobility and inequality.

This event was sponsored by the Brookings Institution and Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School, in conjunction with the release of the latest Future of Children journal volume “Opportunity in America.”

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