School board approves waivers

Principals, local superintendents may waive HSA requirements for state high school seniors who have extenuating circumstances

Grasmick said the board had not requested monthly reports previously, but that she would provide them. The number changes daily, she said, as more students have their projects approved or pass tests and meet the standard.

At its October meeting, the board was told that 9,000 students or about 83 percent of the Class of 2009 had failed to meet the requirements by the end of the last school year.

Since then, at least 1,000 students have completed projects. Others have taken and passed the tests or improved their test scores and done projects.

WAIVER ELIGIBILITY

Here are the criteria to appeal the denial of a diploma:

* The student is expected to meet all other graduation requirements.

* The student has taken or will take the four subject tests.

* The student has taken advantage of any extra help that was offered.

* There was a decision by the local school system about scheduling, course sequencing, test taking or remediation - or some circumstance that prevented meeting the HSA graduation requirements.