For Immediate Release: January 8, 2004
    Contact: Lark Park
    Phone: (916) 319-2021

      State Board Grants Algebra Waiver


    SACRAMENTO - Providing welcome relief to worried high school seniors and their parents, the State Board of Education today agreed to waive a new algebra requirement for graduating seniors in the Santa Cruz City Schools. The algebra requirement, passed by the State Legislature in 2000, went into effect this school year. Seniors were caught off guard because the school district failed to notify students of the change prior to the school year.

    “I’m delighted the Board of Education chose to act sooner rather than later,” said Assemblyman Joe Simitian, chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Simitian had introduced a bill to waive the requirement on Wednesday, in the event of a waiver denial or delay by the State Board of Education. “Now, students can move forward knowing exactly what’s expected of them for the rest of the year - and can graduate as planned.”

    The waiver will be granted only to seniors in the 2003-04 school year, with certain conditions applying.

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