Mad Dash to Serve - Maryland high school students required to do community service - Brief Article

School Administrator, June, 1997

High school seniors across Maryland have spent a lot of time this spring in service learning. The catalyst isn't a new infusion of volunteer spirit but an 11th-hour effort to complete a state requirement for graduation.

As of late March, about 2,900 students, or one-quarter of the state's seniors, had yet to finish their community service commitment, which ranges from 45 to 75 hours depending on the school district. The state education department expects many will not graduate, but figures most of these students also lack other course credits.

Most school districts have been aggressive in matching students with available service opportunities during the final months of school. Maryland is the first state to impose community service as a graduation requirement.