Community service requirements for high school graduation

BILL NUMBER:A302

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to community service requirements for high school graduation

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would require students to complete a community service program in order to graduate from high school.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one of the bill adds a new section 815 to the Education Law. The new section establishes a school based service learning program based, in large part, on the Maryland program set forth in COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) 13A.03.02.06, requiring students to participate in community service learning programs in order to graduate from high school.

Starting with the 9th grade class in the 2010-2011 school year, students are to complete one of two community service options in order to gradu- ate from high school. The first option, set forth in new Education Law §815(1)(a) and 3(a), is a 40 hour requirement that complies with guide- lines to be issued by the NYS Education Department. The second option, set forth in new Education Law

§815(1)(b) and 3(b), is a locally designed program that has been approved by the NYS Commissioner of Education or the Commissioner's designee. The new requirements will first apply to students who graduate from high school in the spring of 2014.

Justification

This bill would require New York State high school students to complete a community service program in order to graduate. This requirement will help teach civic responsibility to students and make them more aware of the issues facing their communities. Service learning will give students the opportunity to apply the lessons that they have been taught in the classroom to real life situations. The hands on experience that comes with volunteering will open doors and help students make connections that will further their life experiences as well as their future employ- ment opportunities. In states such as Maryland, where students must complete either 75 hours of service or a locally designed program approved by the State Superintendent of Schools as a requirement for high school graduation, the requirement has proved to be successful and beneficial. According to Maryland Student Services Alliance, from 1998 to the present time "more than 99% of Maryland students complete their service-learning requirement prior to graduation." Service learning programs in Maryland have continued to evolve and improve. High schools

students in New York State could also reap the benefits that come with the experience of community/service learning.

Prior legislative history

None. New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on July 1st next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.