Promotion of a Statewide College Savings Program in the K-12 School Setting

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 4:15 pm - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Equity, Access, and Targeted Funding in Education Policy

Abstract

CalKIDS is a statewide, universal college savings account program administered by the State of California. Since its establishment in 2022, over four million accounts have been established. However, participation rates vary greatly by county. In this study, we conduct a case study of a county office of education that has been particularly successful in promoting CalKIDS participation. Notably, this County has embedded CalKIDS within a larger, county-wide financial literacy initiative; implements a data dashboard with public reporting of CalKIDS claim rates within buildings and districts; and recognizes schools achieving 100% participation. The innovative efforts of this County can serve as a model for other K-12 setting to promote program participation, with the longer-term goal of improving access to post-secondary education.

Authors

• Flora Zempleni, University of California - Los Angeles

• Sabella Tran, University of California - Los Angeles

• Mark Hansen, University of California - Los Angeles