Graduation Requirements
Case: Earl v. Decatur Public Schools Bd. of Educ., --- N.E.3d ----2015 IL App (4th) 141111, 2015 WL 5474476
Date: Friday, September 18, 2015
Service learning hours required by the school district did not constitute a form of involuntary servitude. Section 27-22 of School Code allows school districts the freedom to add additional graduation requirements based on certain needs of their students and communities in their districts. Section 27-22.3 of School Code does not prohibit districts from requiring students to complete community service hours as an additional graduation requirement. A requirement of 24 hours of community service over four years is not unreasonable, onerous, or unduly burdensome.
Shanell M. Bowden, IASB Law Clerk