A 2013 study conducted by Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley, examined economic mobility in the largest 50 cities in the United States. Charlotte was 50th, a finding that confirmed what many have observed anecdotally: If you are born poor in Charlotte, you are likely to stay that way.

The economic-mobility study's findings sparked alarm and resulted in the formation of an Opportunity Task Force which issued a report in March 2017. That report included a set of broad findings and recommendations. The Opportunity Task Force emphasized that it is the community's collective responsibility to create paths to prosperity. Schools and school districts have an important role to play in building pathways to prosperity but they cannot do this work alone.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is committed to playing a significant role in the community-wide conversation begun by the Opportunity Task Force. We want to increase equity and excellence in our schools and in our community. 

Any challenging effort for meaningful change must begin with acknowledgement of hard truths. Thus, this report purposely does not offer proposals or policies for reform, but instead seeks to provide a solid, data-based picture of our schools with the most recent data available. These data will help the district, and the community, make wise and informed decisions on reform and advance our understanding of how to break the link between poverty, race, and academic performance.

Breaking the Link is an annual examination of our progress on Equity. Why Equity Matters is a summary that provides context.