This section is for the novel coronavirus emergency, in response to the gubernatorial declaration of emergency on February 29, 2020. It applies to the classes of 2020 through 2022 beginning in the 2020-21 school year. The state board of education will consider what, if any, flexibility should be provided to subsequent classes of students no later than its May 2022 board meeting. Beginning from the date of approval of a school district's emergency waiver application, in accordance with WAC 180-111-040:

(1) Waived credit graduation requirements are limited to the student's classes impacted by the novel coronavirus disruption. The school district shall prioritize student completion of core coursework and coursework related to the student's high school and beyond plan under RCW 28A.230.090. School districts may waive credits for eligible students in the classes of 2020 to 2022. In addition to existing waiver authorities as described in WAC 180-111-040 (2)(a), school districts may waive up to two additional credits under this emergency waiver, provided that students graduate with no fewer than a total of twenty credits. The terms "core" and "flexible" credits used in this subsection are defined in WAC 180-51-210.

(2) For the class of 2020, 2021, and 2022: The emergency waiver may be applied to core credits or flexible credits, provided that no more than one credit in each core subject area is waived.

(3) A student's graduation pathway requirement may be waived for eligible students in the classes of 2020 to 2022 after a school district has made a good faith effort to help the student meet their pathway requirement, as defined in WAC 180-111-020.

(4) The graduation pathway requirement may also be waived for a student so that the student may earn a diploma before their planned graduation year, provided that:

(a) The student may not be granted an emergency waiver of credit requirements; and

(b) The student must meet all other state graduation requirements including credit requirements under WAC 180-51-210.

(5) This emergency waiver may apply to individual students participating in the international baccalaureate diploma programme as defined in RCW 28A.230.122 to enable these students to earn a Washington high school diploma.

(6) Schools operating under the waiver defined in WAC 180-18-055 may waive graduation requirements in a manner consistent with this section.