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Graduation Requirement Emergency Waiver Program

The State Board of Education (SBE) is authorized to establish an emergency waiver program allowing school districts to waive certain high school graduation requirements on an individual student basis after the district makes a good faith effort to help the student meet the requirements. SBE adopted rules (Chapter 180-111 WAC) that allow school districts to apply for greater flexibility in awarding a diploma to high school seniors impacted by COVID-19 school building closures. The waiver program was designed so seniors in the Class of 2022 are not negatively impacted by COVID-19 related disruptions to their learning that may affect their ability to earn credits needed to graduate. Some students may have certain requirements waived if they are not able to earn the credit. The authorizing statute requires that school districts apply for and be approved to grant graduation requirement emergency waivers.

If you were approved to grant graduation requirement emergency waivers for either the class of 2020 or the class of 2021, you do not need to reapply as your approval status remains in effect. To confirm your approval status, see the list of currently approved school districts at GREW List as of 03-2022.xlsx (live.com). For school districts wishing to apply or reapply for the waiver granting authority, the application is now available at the button linked below.

The graduation requirement emergency waiver program requires the following of both new applicants and those school districts currently approved:

1. WAC 180-111-040 requires the school district board or equivalent governing body to adopt by resolution a plan that describes the school district's process for granting and declining emergency waivers for students.
2. Before use of this emergency waiver for graduation credit requirements, school districts shall consider using their existing authority to waive credits describes in WAC 180-111-040.
3. The school district shall review the individual student's completed and planned coursework and determine that the student was reasonably expected to graduate as defined in WAC 180-111-020 and that the student has demonstrated postsecondary preparation as defined in WAC 180-111-020.
4. The school district shall demonstrate a good faith effort, as defined in WAC 180-111-020, to help the individual student complete coursework, address credit deficiencies, and meet core course and graduation pathway option requirements through other options that align with their high school and beyond plan.
5. The school district shall consult with the individual student, and make a reasonable effort to consult with a parent or guardian of the student, and shall make a reasonable effort to provide information about this emergency waiver in the preferred languages of the student, and of the parent or guardian of the student if applicable.
6. The school district shall ensure equity in administering the emergency waiver.

WAC 180-111-030 requires the Superintendent or equivalent personnel with authority to sign on behalf of the school district to complete the application form, which will take no more than five minutes. After you application is processed and approved, your school district will be added to the approval list on the SBE website: sbe.wa.gov/waivers.

Please note that the waivers are currently available for students in the graduating class of 2020 – 2022. The Board is considering extending the waiver to include students in the classes of 2023 and 2024 but a final decision on availability and criteria for waivers for those cohorts has not yet been made. For more information see our rulemaking page at sbe.wa.gov/rules.

Please refer any questions to Linda Drake at linda.drake@k12.wa.us.