Kendrick Meek: “Mr. Chairman, my amendment seeks to make a small, modest change to the Osborne Mentoring Program so that both adults and…”

“Mr. Chairman, my amendment seeks to make a small, modest change to the Osborne Mentoring Program so that both adults and qualified, trained and motivated high school students can become mentors. During the Committee on Education and the Workforce's consideration of H.R. 1, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) offered a noncontroversial amendment which the committee adopted by voice vote that established a mentoring program. I commend the initiative of the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne). His program is well-intended and also well designed. Presently this bill only allows adults to be mentors. My amendment seeks to make a modest change so that qualified, trained and motivated high school students can also become mentors. Mr. Chairman, I want to make it very clear that neither the Osborne Mentoring Program or my amendment would require that local educational agencies offer mentoring programs. This is strictly an option that the school district can or cannot take. Like the bill, my amendment would preserve local option. Local school districts would have the choice whether or not to start a mentoring program. When the mentor is an older student, not too far in age from the mentee, it appears that this transforming relationship affects both young people. For example, a study recently conducted by Pediatrics Magazine pointed out that the benefits of peer monitoring are very, very good.”