ACTS Initiatives

Data Bank

Since its founding, Mecklenburg ACTS has collected and analyzed CMS data. We have also worked to put that data into forms that clearly convey meaning. To make it easier for researchers, parents, and community members to access these data, we have established a Data Bank page >>

Join our conversation on issues related to equity and excellence in CMS.
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Mecklenburg ACTS Supports the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg "Equity Funding - A Call to Action"

The LWV's study of Weighted Student Funding led them to recommend that CMS abandon its weighted formula in allocating teachers in favor of a template model. The LWV seeks individuals and groups to endorse "Equity Funding - A Call to Action".

Mecklenburg ACTS endorses the LWV "Call to Action" and urges other groups to join us in advocating for effective equity funding.

E-mail Superintendent Gorman to express your support for the LWV "Equity Funding - A Call to Action".

Read & print "A Call to Action" >>

Latest comparisons of teacher allocations under Weighted Student Staffing and Differentiated Staffing 2005-06 through 2008-09 >>

Of 93 Elementary Schools in 2006-07

10% of fewer white students = 36 schools
10% or fewer African American students = 11 schools

20% or fewer FRL students = 19
20% or more FRL students = 24

Funding Equity: Problems with Weighted Student Staffing >>

In 2006-07, CMS's new Weighted Student Staffing system changed schools' teacher allotments. According to an analysis prepared by Mecklenburg ACTS, these changes in teacher allotments did NOT effectively address the academic achievement gap in high poverty schools. Instead, they boosted staffing at schools with moderate levels of poverty at the expense of many schools with higher levels of poverty. more >>

Following ACTS weighted student staffing report, the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg conducted a detailed study of equity funding methods. They have recommended that CMS stop using weighted student staffing and return to a template-based method for allocating resources to majority-poverty schools. LWV Report >>

Class Size Matters >>

As CMS faces the challenges of educating all of its students to high levels, Mecklenburg ACTS believes that the linked issues of class size and teacher quality must be at the forefront of the district's efforts.

After members of Mecklenburg ACTS identified a number of flaws in the January 2007 CMS Equity Report, Dr. Peter Gorman decided to withdraw the report for revision.

ACTS members met with the CMS Equity Committee on June 1, 2007 to discuss the problems of the withdrawn 'equity' report and weighted student staffing. presentation summary >>

CMS released a revised Equity Report in July, 2007. Mecklenburg ACTS members Louise Woods and Carol Sawyer along with School Board member Tom Tate met with Superintendent Gorman and senior staff August 9, 2007 to offer their critique. See summary >>

ACTS Steering Committee members met with Dr. Gorman on November 1,2006. We presented Dr. Gorman with two documents, a summary of past equity efforts, and a request for data relating to equity: "Past CMS Attempts at Equity" and "Data and Public Perception"

Building Support for the"Community Commitment to Schools" >>

We are building an e-mail list for a newsletter and to gathering support for our "Community Commitment to Schools". If you would like to endorse it and add your name to our list of supporters, please send an e-mail with your name and zip coded to: MecklenburgACTS@earthlink.net

Endorsing the statement does not mean that you are joining Mecklenburg ACTS or endorsing anything else we do. It simply helps us to demonstrate that there is broad community support for these ideas.

Let's Address the REAL Facilities Needs in CMS >>

One distraction has been the struggle over building new schools vs. renovating older ones. This is a red herring. Garinger High School's science labs are hopelessly outdated. North Mecklenburg High's science labs are hopelessly overcrowded. Both these situations prevent students from learning to their full capacity, and both areunacceptable. One is not more urgent than the other. Fortunately, we live in a community wealthy enough to meet both kinds of needs -- if we can muster the will to do so.

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