§ 6-16-1901 — Community service diploma requirement

(a) Beginning with the graduating class of 2026-2027, a public high school student shall complete a minimum of seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine through twelve (9-12), as certified by the service agency or organization with which the public school student volunteers, in order to graduate. (b) The community service required under subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) Be in programs or activities, either in Arkansas or outside of Arkansas, that meet the requirements established by the State Board of Education and each public school district board of directors; and (2) Include preparation, action, and reflection components. (c) (1) Students transferring into a public school district after grade nine (9) or students graduating early may receive a diploma provided that the minimum requirement for each year they attend the public school district is met. (2) The minimum number of community service hours for each grade level shall be: (A) Fifteen (15) hours for students in grade nine (9); (B) Twenty (20) hours for students in grade ten (10); (C) Twenty (20) hours for students in grade eleven (11); and (D) Twenty (20) hours for students in grade twelve (12).

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.