Great New Opportunities for Minnesota Youth

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This column originally was published in January, 2026 by a number of APG of East Central Mn newspapers including but limited to the APG Statewide news, ABC Newspapers, County News Review,  Dakota Tribune, Faribault Daily News, Press & News, Monticello Times, Morrison County Record,  Sun Current, Sun Post, Sun Sailor, Sun This Week,  Union Times

 

Great new opportunities for Minnesota youth

 

Over and over, I hear the same encouraging things: “I learned I could make a difference. There’s an immediate, direct connection between some of the things I’m studying in school and helping others. I’ve learned that I can accomplish far more than I thought possible.”

Those are comments from Minnesota youngsters as they participated in “service-learning” projects. Now, there are more opportunities to do this, thanks to state taxpayers, the Minnesota Legislature, and the Minnesota Department of Education.

A new request for proposals has been issued for service-learning projects that begin with young people identifying a local challenge or problem they want to address. Proposals are due Feb. 6. The RFP for grants up to $50,000 is found here.

The RFP builds on the experience of the 16 projects already funded. Working with educators and community partners in rural, suburban and urban public schools, students tackled a variety of issues. These include hunger, homelessness, fixing damaged softball and baseball fields, mentoring/tutoring younger students in math, revitalizing a town’s main street, helping create a National Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Center, constructing an outdoor classroom in woods next to the school and monitoring water quality in a nearby pond.

                   

 

Paladin Career and Technical High School students in Coon Rapids helped produce a free three-minute video showing the benefit of their outdoor work. It’s available here.

MDE compiled a report to the Legislature on the 16 projects. The report noted a number of positive outcomes, including:

  • Growth in academic performance, attendance, essential skill development and leadership.
  • Increased enthusiasm and a strong sense of ownership.
  • Development of “project management, budgeting, research, communication and collaboration skills.”

Their report is available here.

These results affirm a major two-page research summary prepared by Professor Andrew Furco of the University of Minnesota. He found that for elementary and secondary students, well-implemented service-learning projects have multiple benefits. These include “increased student achievement, improved attendance, reduction in discipline problems, more positive attitudes toward learning,” and exploration of career options.

Furco’s two-page summary is available here.

Fortunately, on a bipartisan basis, legislators in the 2023 and 2025 sessions recognized the value of service-learning. Special thanks go to advocates including lead author Sen. Bonnie Westin (DFL-Plymouth,) Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley), and legislators including Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley) Rep. Ned Carroll (DFL-Plymouth), Rep. Larry Craft (DFL-St. Louis Park) , Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL- den Prairie), Rep.Tom Dippel (R-Cottage Grove), Rep. Cedric Frazier (DFL-New Hope), Rep. Heather Keeler (DFL-Moorhead), Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley), Rep. Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine), Rep Bianca Virnig (DFL-Eagan), Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine)and Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins). They and others supported students’ efforts to combine research and service to others.

Startup funds help, but service-learning projects need not cost additional ongoing money. Some schools used the state money to purchase equipment that can be used in future projects. Other schools developed partnerships with local organizations that can continue. Some faculty members were trained to manage these projects.

At a challenging time, legislators, educators, community groups and students are finding ways to make a positive difference in communities as youngsters develop stronger skills, and broader knowledge. As one Paladin student explains in the video mentioned above, “There’s really nothing better than this.”

 

Joe Nathan, Ph.D., has been a Minnesota public school educator, researcher and PTA president. He founded and formerly directed the Center for School Change, now known as Catalyst for Systems Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org