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Committee lays over bill to fund MAPSTARS program for students in alternative education
Summary
Representative Peggy Berg asked the House Education Finance Committee to lay over House File 1966 to provide $55,000 annually to the MAPSTARS leadership program for students in alternative education.
Representative Peggy Berg opened discussion of House File 1966 on the Minnesota Association of Alternative ProgramsMAPSTARS program, saying the bill would appropriate $55,000 each year to support student scholarships, leadership conferences and event participation for students enrolled in alternative education programs.
Kristen Toole, MAPSTARS co-chair and longtime advisor at the Fergus Falls Area Learning Center, told the committee the statewide program supports students at risk of not graduating by offering leadership training, competitive spring events and curricula to run local chapters. "MAPSTARRS is a program for students enrolled in alternative education settings to grow personally and professionally, providing leadership and learning opportunities," Toole said.
Carl Bauer, an 18-year-old senior and a state MAPSTARS officer from the Fergus Falls Area Learning Center, described his experience and credited the program with helping him gain job skills and confidence. "This program teaches us decision making processes, how to interview for a job, skills for parenting, and plan for our futures," Bauer said, adding that funding would help cover essential expenses including transportation, food and lodging.
Kalik Rogers, executive director of Catalyst for Systems Change and a graduate of Minnesota alternative schools, testified in favor of the funding and linked MAPSTARS to broader, research-based approaches that identify and develop young people's strengths.
Representative Berg and committee members emphasized the program's role in supporting students who have struggled in traditional school settings. After testimony and brief discussion, the committee laid House File 1966 over for possible inclusion in an education omnibus bill.
Votes at the meeting included adoption of the committee minutes for April 1 earlier in the session and no floor vote was recorded for HF 1966; the committee action was to lay the bill over for possible inclusion.
