Education savings accounts (ESA) can help more Iowa families tailor their children’s education to what best fits their needs—no matter their geographic location or socioeconomic background.
Rural Iowans Face Unique Education Challenges
Iowa’s population is 43% rural and unfortunately, many of Iowa’s lowest rated school districts are located in rural counties. These rural areas often offer fewer educational choices for parents—at price points many families cannot afford.
Rural parents are much more likely to change jobs or move closer to a better school in order to support their children’s education.
In addition to struggling with fewer choices than their urban counterparts, rural students make up the lowest proportion of American college students. Fifty-nine percent of rural high school graduates attend college after graduation, compared to 62% of urban and 67% of suburban graduates.
Rural Iowans know ESAs can help more students succeed—that’s why 65% of rural Iowans support ESAs.
ESAs Will Help More Students-And Rural Communities-Succeed
In other states, ESAs have led to:
Population growth and higher property values in rural areas, as they free families to live in more affordable areas without sacrificing education quality.
More low-income students attending college.
More money for public schools. Tennessee’s ESA program saves public schools an estimated savings of $522 to $2,100 per student who uses an ESA. In Arizona, that amount is $654 per ESA participant.
Other States are Benefitting from School Choice Programs
Seven states have enacted Education Savings Account programs to help students. West Virginia enacted the most expansive ESA programs in the country this year. Kentucky followed suit with the second largest ESA program and more states are expected to join them as demand for education options is at an all-time high.
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