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New and Renewing Application for the Waiver of Credit-Based Graduation Requirements

Application for the Waiver from Credit-Based Graduation Requirements of Chapter 180-51 WAC

School districts currently have flexibility in determining how credits are awarded at the local level. WAC 180-51-050 notes that credits are not linked to “seat” time.  However, the State Board of Education (SBE) finds that the Credit-Based Graduation Requirements may be a limitation upon the ability of high schools and school districts to make the transition from a time and credit-based education system to a standards and performance-based system.  Therefore, WAC 180-18-055 provides school districts and high schools the opportunity to create and implement alternative graduation requirements.

The rule provides that a school district, or a high school with permission of the school district board, or an approved private school may apply to the State Board of Education for a waiver of one or more of the credit-based graduation requirements of Chapter 180-51 WAC (high school graduation requirements). The State Board of Education may grant the waiver for up to four school years.

If the waiver is approved by the Board, the SBE staff looks forward to supporting schools in their transition to mastery-based learning. In addition, SBE is currently operating a grant project for MBL/competency-based education, called the Mastery-based Learning Collaborative (MBLC). While no grant funds are available at this time, please consider joining the Friends of the MBLC to have the opportunity to attend some professional learning events.

Information to Make this Application Easier to Complete and Submit

This application is designed for both new and renewing applications for the Waiver from Credit-Base Graduation Requirements. Please read the relevant sections before you start this application. Whether you are a renewing applicant or a new applicant, SBE staff recommends that you review the prompts on the SBE website (Our Work/Waivers) prior to starting the application.

New Applicants

New applicants are required to respond to seven open-ended prompts, some of which may take some time to complete. In addition, new applicants must upload a formalized plan regarding waiver implementation and usage. Please review the prompts on the SBE website prior to starting the application.

Renewing Applicants

Schools already approved for the Waiver of Credit-Based Graduation Requirements and intending to renew the waiver will answer five open-ended prompts. You also have the option of uploading electronic documents instead of drafting an open-ended response to one of the prompts.

All Applicants

If you choose to respond to the prompts without pre-drafting, you have the option of saving your work and returning to your application at a later time. In the bottom right had corner of the display, there is an option to "Save and Continue Later". After clicking on the icon, you will be prompted to fill in your email address, to which a link will be provided allowing you to access your application at a later time. You may forward the link and other information to another person to complete other sections. In this event, these other people will have the ability to review and edit previously completed portions of the application. Before you submit your application, you will receive a prompt to review your responses and, as needed, you can go back and edit any of the responses before submitting the application.

Once you submit your application, you will not be able to retrieve and update responses. Instead, you will need to provide any additional information directly to the SBE staff, which may delay consideration by the State Board of Education. After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming your submission and a PDF attachment showing your responses.
1. Please select the response that applies to your school. *This question is required.
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