What are opportunity gaps?

Opportunity gaps are when some kids get extra help to reach their goals, while others don’t, it’s like having different kinds of ladders to climb.

Imagine you and your friend both want to get to the top of a slide. But you have a short ladder that only reaches halfway up, while your friend has a tall ladder that goes all the way to the top. Even though you’re both trying as hard as you can, your friend gets to the top first because they had a better tool to use.

Think of it like going on a trip. If one kid has a map, a backpack full of snacks, and a car ride to the destination, they might get there faster than another kid who only has shoes and a little bit of money for bus fare. The first kid had more chances to succeed, that’s an opportunity gap.

Sometimes these gaps come from where you live, what your family can afford, or even the schools you go to. It's not about being better or worse, it’s just about having different starting points.