Very interesting story — especially about the research being conducted to determine cause and effect of upward economic mobility. It seems ironic that so many young people relocate from their rural locations of youth to the cities to find employment opportunities while most major cities contain numerous areas of dense poverty. I suspect that cities with generous social programs retain and even draw those who have not been able to secure adequate employment.

The article mentions that the children of single parent families have less opportunity than those of two parent families. Children do not pick their birth parents and should not be penalized for situations they have no control over. The article also mentions that a quality education increases upward economic mobility opportunity. Unfortunately, the schools in urban poverty areas typically provide substandard education.

In 2010 Hillsdale College began working with school founding groups to establish charter school affiliates. The Barney Charter School Initiative continues to grow with a total of more than 10,000 students enrolled. It places emphasis on classical education and so far the results are very encouraging.