MCPS presenter outlines 75‑hour student service requirement for Maryland high school graduation

A presenter at a school information session told parents that students in Maryland must complete 75 hours of Student Service Learning (SLSL) to be eligible for high school graduation and explained how students can earn and document those hours.

The presenter described SLSL (sometimes referred to as "community service hours") as an opportunity for students to develop real-world skills, responsibility, teamwork and leadership, not merely as a graduation requirement. The speaker said students may begin accumulating hours as early as the summer after fifth grade and that hours must come from volunteer activities approved by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

The presenter emphasized recordkeeping rules: eligible volunteer hours must be recorded on an official verification form and bear the signature of the activity supervisor. The speaker also said that activities cannot be supervised by a parent or other family member and must take place in a public setting to count toward the 75‑hour requirement.

Parents and students were told to consult the school's program coordinator for assistance. In the transcript the presenter referred to that role as the "SSI coordinator"; the presenter suggested the coordinator is the best contact for students who are unsure where to start or who need help confirming whether an activity is approved by MCPS.

No formal votes or policy changes were recorded at the session; the presenters remarks were informational and intended to explain existing graduation expectations and procedures. Parents seeking clarification were advised to contact their school coordinator or the school office for more details.