Intergenerational Mobility: Where is the American Dream?

What determines whether young people have the opportunity to move up the economic ladder? In this data-driven, inquiry-based lesson, students explore the concept of intergenerational mobility and examine how factors like geography, income, education, and neighborhood characteristics shape economic outcomes over time.

Using real U.S. data from Raj Chetty’s Opportunity Atlas, students investigate patterns of mobility across regions, develop and test their own research questions, and analyze trade-offs and opportunity costs connected to economic decision-making. A hands-on trading simulation helps students understand the role of initial endowments, while a culminating project challenges them to communicate findings using evidence and economic reasoning.

This lesson is designed to bring current economic research and real-world relevance into the classroom and includes ready-to-use slides, student handouts, assessment tools, and standards alignment to support implementation.

Aligned to Minnesota economics standards and national economics standards, this resource is ideal for teachers looking to engage students in meaningful analysis of economic opportunity and inequality.

What's included

• A complete, classroom-ready lesson plan

• Slide deck for direct instruction and discussion

• Hands-on trading simulation activity

• Guided student practice using the Opportunity Atlas

• Inquiry-based student project with templates and rubrics

• Opportunities for written analysis and/or presentations

• Clear alignment to Minnesota economics standards and national standards

Ideal for high school economics teachers looking to engage students in thoughtful analysis of economic opportunity, inequality, and the factors that influence long-term outcomes.