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Introducing the Students Helping Young Students Act

Floor Speech

Date: June 7, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Minors and Children Employment and Affirmative Action Higher Education

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Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to re-introduce the Students Helping Young Students Act. This important and bipartisan legislation would provide an additional pathway to enable students to work their way through college, while at the same time enhancing the afterschool opportunities of their younger peers.

The Students Helping Young Students Act would incorporate work at afterschool programs into the Federal Work-Study program. Encouraging students enrolled in higher education to work with vulnerable younger students is a win-win, expanding opportunities for students at colleges and universities to participate in afterschool programs for at-risk youth. The bill creates new paths to achievement and opportunities for students at all levels, a commonsense way to improve our nation's education system.

The hours between 3 p.m.--7 p.m., when children are out of school but parents are not yet home from work, can be a critical time for children, families, and communities. Mentoring and afterschool programs can play a key role in filling this gap. Unfortunately, too few at-risk students have the opportunity to participate in these programs. While not a panacea, afterschool and mentoring programs have been associated with improved educational outcomes, reduced negative behaviors, increased school attendance, and improved social and emotional development.

At the same time, as college costs continue to rise, the Federal Work-Study program provides a key source of financing for students to attain a degree. Since 2000, colleges and universities participating in Work-Study have been required to use a portion of their federal funding allocation for community service jobs. While a variety of community service opportunities can meet this requirement, many effective afterschool programs are not eligible. Under this legislation, these programs would become eligible for this existing allocation, encouraging students to participate in the programs.

By making it easier for college students to help their younger peers through afterschool programs, students of all ages--as well as the schools they attend--come out ahead. I urge Congress to pass the Students Helping Young Students Act.

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