Requires community service for graduation from high school

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Steve Rhoads says this is needed

Part of education is not merely teaching the basics that students will need to master and to hone their skills to be successful in the world, but is also to teach the value of using their gifts and talents to serve their community and make the world around them a better place. This legislation authorizes the Commissioner of Education in conjunction with the Board of Regents to develop a requirement for community service for secondary school students in grades nine through twelve consisting of a minimum of eight hours of service per academic year. The goal of the requirement is to cultivate a lifelong habit of giving, while nurturing empathy, character and compassion during their critical tran- sition into adulthood. This will assist students in gaining a deeper understanding of service, fostering a sense of real-world purpose beyond academics while enhancing social skills, better preparing students for life beyond high school.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.