Legislators were impressed with the work of a group appointed to advise them on youth issues.
A group of young people charged with advising the Legislature would like to see all high school students apply to college. They also believe college loans should be forgiven for graduates who stay in Maine.
The Legislative Youth Advisory Council released its second annual report on Thursday, offering 18 ways to improve the lives of Maine youths.
Many of the recommendations in the 35-page report have never been made by officials.
“I was very impressed,” said state Sen. Peggy Rotundo, a Lewiston Democrat. “These are important issues that we need to look into. Their perspectives are wonderful.”
Created in 2002 to advise the Legislature and its committees on issues that affect children and teenagers, the Youth Council is comprised of 18 high school and college students, and four legislators. Members meet eight times a year and hold two public hearings. They have the ability to submit legislation.
Last year, the council focused on reducing drug and alcohol use among Maine kids. This year, it looked at ways to improve education, encourage college graduates to stay in Maine, improve the lives of children in foster care and increase sensitivity to cultural issues.
All of the issues were raised by other groups or past studies, but many of the Youth Council’s answers were new.
Among the recommendations: create separate school counselors for career guidance and social counseling, require high school students to apply to college, focus more on non-Western cultures in schools, support foster kids until they reach age 23 and make it easier for kids in group homes to get permission slips for school activities.
Some legislators said Thursday they were happy to see a council of students focus many of its recommendations on raising educational standards and increasing college attendance.
“It emphasizes the fact that our high expectations translate into higher education,” Rotundo said.
‘Let’s make it real’
Rep. Glenn Cummings, a Portland Democrat and co-chairman of the Education Committee, said he was impressed by the council’s suggestions for keeping Maine youths in the state. A 2003 report by the Finance Authority of Maine and the University of Southern Maine’s Center for Education Policy found that almost 75 percent of the state’s “best and brightest” left after college.
“I like the argument that there should be some reward financially to educated young people who stay in Maine,” he said. “They have done their homework.”
He said the council’s recommendations were valid because they came from the group affected: young people.
“The students are the ones who know what is happening and what isn’t happening for them,” he said.
Nathanael Yellis, the 19-year-old co-chairman of the Youth Council, said that sentiment is what led the group to recommend that any state task force created to study youth issues should include young members.
Past committees studied education and the flight of college graduates, he said, but they contained no young people.
“It’s important that there be direct youth involvement,” he said.
Copies of the Youth Council’s report were delivered to legislators Thursday. Members were also expected to meet with the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis to talk about submitting legislation.
Cummings said he’d be happy to see lawmakers explore the council’s recommendations.
“The next step ought to be: Let’s make it real,” he said.
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