AN ACT Relating to waiving local graduation requirements for certain students; and amending RCW 28A.320.192.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1.  RCW 28A.320.192 and 2012 c 163 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

In order to facilitate the on-time grade level progression and graduation of students who are dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW, at-risk youth or children in need of services pursuant to chapter 13.32 RCW, or homeless, school districts must incorporate the following procedures:

(1) School districts must waive specific courses required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completed in another school district or must provide reasonable justification for denial. Should a waiver not be granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending school district, the receiving school district must use best efforts to provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework so that graduation may occur on time.

(2) School districts are encouraged to consolidate unresolved or incomplete coursework and provide opportunities for credit accrual through local classroom hours, correspondence courses, or the portable assisted study sequence units designed for migrant high school students.

(3) Should a student who is transferring at the beginning or during the student's junior or senior year be ineligible to graduate from the receiving school district after all alternatives have been considered, the sending and receiving districts must ensure the receipt of a diploma from the sending district if the student meets the graduation requirements of the sending district.

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