A Social Determinants of Education Framework

Research shows that out-of-school factors potentially have a greater impact on student outcomes yet our interventions remain focused on in-school factors. This thesis proposes that education reform efforts should learn from the widely accepted social determinants of health framework. The social determinants of health framework has lead to great strides in health equity in the us. Us education however remains deeply rooted in inequitable origins despite centuries of efforts to improve outcomes. Through a literature review of the impact of social forces on educational outcomes a “social determinants of education” framework is proposed. The social determinants of education are proposed to be economic, food, physical environment, social environment, and health. This framework aims to coalesce education reform conversations around a common language of equity