I.     Elective or locally-designated credits

Up to two (2) elective or locally-designated credits may be waived when circumstances have occurred so as to make completion of all high school elective or locally-designated credits difficult.  Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Homelessness;
•  A health condition resulting in an inability to attend class;
• Denial of an opportunity to retake classes or enroll in credit retrieval, credit recovery, or other courses to improve academic skills; free of charge during the first four years of high school;
• Transfer during the last two years of high school from a school with different graduation requirements; and
• Other circumstances (e.g., emergency, natural disaster, trauma, personal or family crisis) that directly compromised a student’s ability to learn.

Students should not be considered for a waiver solely because of their English proficiency or disability status.

If credits are waived under this section, the total number of credits a student needs to graduate is reduced by the number of credits waived.

Elective waivers may be requested beginning in the first semester of a student’s senior year and must be requested using the District’s universal waiver process.

II.     Waiver of the physical component of Physical Education classes

Washington State allows the physical component of Physical Education classes to be waived for the following reasons:

• Physical Disability
• Religious Belief
• Employment
• Participation in Military Science and Tactics (such as ROTC)
• Other Good Cause
  • Full academic schedule that does not allow for a Physical Education course
  • COVID related reason such as inability to complete planned directed athletics

With PE Waivers it is important to note that the physical activity may be waived, but not the cognitive content, students who are waiving the physical activity will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the content via an assessment that will be administered each spring.

Receiving a waiver for the physical component of Physical Education courses does NOT reduce the number of credits a student needs to graduate.

PE waivers may be requested beginning in the first semester of a student’s senior year and must be requested using the District’s universal waiver process.

III.    Waiver of Washington State History

Washington State allows the non-credit bearing requirement to take Washington State History to be waived for the following reasons:

• Took a state history course in another state
• Moved to Washington in 11^th or 12^th grade and were unable to complete Washington State History
• Planned to take WA State History but was unable to due to the COVID emergency.

Washington State History waivers may be requested beginning in the second semester of a student’s senior year and must be requested using the District’s universal waiver process.

The superintendent or designee’s decision is final and will only apply to the student’s current graduation year.  A student who does not receive a waiver, or receives only a partial waiver, and does not graduate may reapply for a waiver the following year if the student remains enrolled.

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Superintendent: April 2020
Revised by the Superintendent: 1.22