CHARLOTTE -- A brutally honest report released by Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools shows what, and what the district admits, is a system that is failing families and children. Namely, there are several disparities in high-poverty schools, which make up a third of the district.

Only a quarter of graduates in high-poverty schools take a college-level class, like Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate. High schoolers are chronically absent, those in middle school frequently find themselves in out-of-school suspension, and many teachers in those classrooms are only in their first year.

At-large Board Member Elyse Dashew found it upsetting, especially the attendance rate.

"There's a lot of realities, factors that go into that,” said Dashew. “That seems like it can be something we can fix."

The district said they're working to decrease suspensions, add mental health services, and received a federal grant to put social-emotional programming in schools with high incidents.

They'd also like to ensure AP and IB classes are equally available to everyone, and encourage students with potential to take these classes to do so.

“The biggest challenge is changing the expectation... all kids can learn at high level. And then match that curriculum to that expectation. It's a change in mindset, a change in heart,” said Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox.

Accountability Officer Frank Barnes addressed bringing in effective teachers, too.

Said Barnes of the district, "[We’re] modifying teacher timelines high and moderate poverty schools can get greater access and first chance to recruit our best teacher candidates."

All a good start, but a long way to go from here. The report is considered step one, with an immediate action and long term plan to follow.