Educators, policymakers, and community members are increasingly concerned about student achievement and college affordability. Fewer than half of Arizona high school graduates enroll in postsecondary education, a number that has steadily decreased over the past several years and has consistently trailed behind other states in the United States. One potential solution to address these concerns is child savings accounts (CSAs). Research suggests that CSAs increase educational outcomes for students, including an increased likelihood to attend college after high school.
The purpose of this brief is to discuss the goals of CSAs and explore how CSA programs have been implemented by cities across the United States. There is no one way that CSA programs are implemented; they are highly tailored programs to meet the needs of their community. As a result, we have selected a variety of cases to showcase this diversity as well as lessons learned.