Arkansas High School Seniors Face New 75-Hour Community Service Graduation Requirement Under LEARNS Act
High school seniors in Arkansas are now required to complete 75 hours of community service to graduate, a new mandate established by the LEARNS Act, signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2023. This requirement applies to students in traditional public school districts and charter schools, but not to private school or homeschooled students, although some private schools have similar requirements. Students can begin accumulating these hours as early as their freshman year. The Arkansas Department of Education reported 35,270 seniors in public and charter schools during the 2025-26 school year, all of whom are subject to this new rule. The initiative aims to foster a sense of public service among students, with many already engaging in activities such as volunteering at food banks, after-school programs, or assisting with community events. Arkansas and Maryland are currently the only states with a statewide community service graduation requirement, with Washington D.C. requiring 100 hours.
