OLYMPIA – The emergency waiver of graduation requirements is available for approved districts to grant to students who are in the 2020 to 2024 graduating cohorts and are attempting to graduate in the 2022-23 school year. The graduation requirement emergency waiver (GREW) is available as a last resort for students whose education has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to two credits can be waived but no more than one credit in each core subject area, and students must earn a minimum of 20 total credits. In addition, the graduation pathway requirement may be waived. Students in the 2024 graduating cohort who are seeking to graduate early in 2023 must meet all credit graduation requirements and may use the emergency waiver for the graduation pathway requirement only.
To consider granting the waiver, districts must:
- Make a good-faith effort to support students in meeting all graduation requirements.
- Administer the waiver equitably and track data on the use of the waiver.
- Advise student on the potential benefits and limitations of using the waiver.
- Ensure that students have demonstrated preparation for their next steps after high school.
Additional information about the waiver is available on the State Board of Education Emergency Waiver Program web page. Districts that have previously been approved do not need to apply again. A list of approved districts is also available on that page.
Graduation Requirement Emergency Waiver in the 2023-24 School Year
Next year the Graduation Requirement Emergency Waiver will change. Students in the graduating cohorts of 2020 to 2024 who plan on graduating in the 2023-24 school year may be granted a waiver of up to one credit in any subject area, provided the student earns a minimum of 21 total credits. A waiver of the graduation pathway requirement will not be available in the 2023-24 school year.
If you have questions about the use of the waiver, check out the Emergency Waiver FAQ, or contact Linda.drake@k12.wa.us.