6552-S2.E AMH POLL MCLA 996

E2SSB 6552 - H AMD TO APP COMM AMD (H-4469.1/14) 874

By Representative Pollet

WITHDRAWN 03/12/2014

    On page 4, line 18 of the striking amendment, after "citizenship." insert "The opportunity to complete graduation requirements must be provided to students without discrimination as required under RCW 28A.642.010, and without disparate impact on the basis of a student's status under RCW 28A.642.010 or a student's homelessness, poverty, or limited English proficiency."

    On page 7, beginning on line 15 of the striking amendment, after "waive" strike all material through "education" on line 17 and insert "requirements on an individual student basis in accordance with written policies established by school district boards of directors as provided in section 203 of this act"

    On page 8, after line 31 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 203.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:

    School district boards of directors must adopt written policies that provide for a waiver of credits required for high school graduation as follows:

    (1)  The school district must provide a waiver of required credits based on criteria that take into account the unique limitations of a student to complete the required credits, which must include but not be limited to limitations associated with homelessness; poverty; limited English proficiency; medical conditions that impair a student's opportunity to learn; or disabilities, regardless of whether the student has an individualized education program or a plan under section 504 of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973.

    (2)  The school district must provide for a waiver of up to three credits from the total number of credits required for graduation if the student has not been provided with an opportunity to retake classes or enroll in remedial classes free of charge during the first four years of high school."

     Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly

EFFECT:   Amends a Basic Education provision to require that the opportunity for students to complete graduation requirements must be provided without discrimination as required under current laws, and without disparate impact on the basis of a student's status under current laws related to discrimination, or on the basis of a student's homelessness, poverty, or limited English proficiency. 

Replaces authorization for school districts to waive up to two graduation credits on an individual student basis in accordance with rules established by the State Board of Education.  Instead, requires the SBE rules to provide authorization for a district to waive credits on an individual student basis in accordance with the following policies, which must be adopted by school boards: 

·   The district must provide for a waiver based on criteria that take into account the unique limitations of a student to complete the required credits, which must include but not be limited to homelessness, poverty, limited English proficiency, medical conditions, or disabilities regardless if the student has an IEP or a Section 504 plan.

·   The district must waive up to three credits if the student has not been provided an opportunity to retake classes or enroll in remedial classes free of charge during the first four years of high school.

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