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February 16, 2021
Special Meeting: Draft Emergency Rules - Emergency Waiver Program
On February 25, beginning at 1:00 p.m., the State Board of Education (SBE) will host a special meeting where the Board will review and discuss a draft of emergency rules about the emergency graduation requirements waiver program. The draft will be available to the public. The Board will receive public comment, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. SBE will also collect written public comment (email SBE@k12.wa.us). Find the special meeting Zoom link on SBE's meetings page.

No action will be taken at this meeting. The Board will consider adoption of the emergency rules at its March 10-11 regular meeting.

Provide input on key decision points (outlined in the video brief linked below) via short survey before the special Board meeting on February 25: http://bit.ly/EmWaiver. More below.
Why SBE is in the Rulemaking Process
View the short video brief (image above) about the emergency waiver program policy decision points.

This legislative session, SBE requested two bills to create emergency waiver programs. They address the ongoing public health emergency and potential future emergencies. House Bill 1121 establishes an emergency waiver program to give districts the ability to grant students emergency waivers of certain graduation requirements. House Bill 1131 allows for waiver of instructional time for private schools (like authority already provided for public schools).

As of February 16, these bills have passed both the House and the Senate and will be sent to the Governor for signing. 

Application, eligibility, administration, and reporting requirements, as well as limitations on what can be waived, will be decided through the rulemaking process (outlined in the video brief linked above).

If you haven't already, please provide input on key decision points via short survey before the special Board meeting on February 25. SBE will leave the survey open until March 5: http://bit.ly/EmWaiver.

Outline of feedback opportunities:
  • SURVEY – Complete the online survey by February 25 for consideration at the special meeting (survey closes March 5 before March 10-11 Board meeting): http://bit.ly/EmWaiver
  • ORAL PUBLIC COMMENT – Give feedback during the February 25 special Board meeting (comment section scheduled for 2:00 p.m.) or at the March 10-11 Board meeting (agenda coming soon)
  • WRITTEN FEEDBACK – Send written comments to sbe@k12.wa.us by March 5 to be included in March 10-11 Board meeting materials