Require high school graduates to complete at least 20 hours of community service
Summary
House Bill 2891 would add a new section to West Virginia education law requiring every high school student to complete at least 20 hours of community service before receiving a diploma. The bill applies statewide and makes community service a graduation prerequisite, rather than an optional extracurricular activity. It also directs the State Board of Education to compile a list of approved service activities for county boards of education to use.
The bill allows flexibility in how service hours are earned. In addition to the state-approved list, students may request that other activities count as community service if approved by the school, county board, or State Board of Education. The bill’s stated purpose is to encourage student service and community improvement while tying that service to graduation requirements.
Impact
If enacted, HB2891 would create a new statewide graduation requirement in the West Virginia Code for public high school students. It would affect students, schools, county boards of education, and the State Board of Education by requiring schools to track completion of community service hours and by requiring the state board to develop and distribute an approved list of qualifying activities. The bill would not change higher education or adult education law directly, but it would add a new condition for earning a high school diploma.
Sentiment
The available context shows a generally supportive or affirmative framing of the bill, with the sponsors presenting community service as beneficial to both students and the broader community. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education, but no committee transcript or recorded votes are provided, so there is no evidence in the supplied materials of organized opposition or debate. Overall, the tone of the bill text is promotional and policy-oriented rather than contentious.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the requirement itself: making community service mandatory for graduation could raise concerns about added burdens on students, unequal access to service opportunities, and administrative enforcement by schools and county boards. Another possible issue is how approved activities are defined and who has final authority to approve exceptions, since the bill gives discretion to schools, county boards, and the State Board of Education. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided discussion materials.
Making a supplementary appropriation to the Department of Human Services, Bureau for Medical Services – Policy and Programming and State Board of Education – State Department of Education
Supplementing and amending appropriations to the Higher Education Policy Commission, Higher Education Policy Commission – Administration – Control Account