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Request legislation: student votes on the Board

SBE is a 16-member board, including two student members. Under current law, all the board members can vote except for the student members. In 2019, the Board changed its bylaws to allow students to make an advisory vote, but a statutory change is needed to allow student votes to count. The State Board’s request legislation would extend voting authority to the student members on the Board, allowing them to vote in the same manner as other members.

SBE to Host Special Meeting, Emergency Waiver Program

On February 25, beginning at 1:00 p.m., the State Board of Education (SBE) will host a special meeting where the Board will review and discuss a draft of emergency rules about the emergency graduation requirements waiver program. The draft is available to the public. The Board will receive public comment, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. SBE will also collect written public comment (email SBE@k12.wa.us).

SBE Seeks Eastern WA Student Rep.

Student Board Members are valued voices on the State Board, and are able to participate in SBE's Student Voice Committee which explores ways students can have a more active role in education policy issues. Each year the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) selects a sophomore student to serve through their senior year on the AWSL Student Voice & Advocacy Board who will also represent Washington students on the State Board of Education (SBE). This year, we are seeking a passionate sophomore and student leader to represent Eastern Washington at a state-level!

High School Diploma

The Washington State High School Diploma is comprised of three parts: the High School and Beyond Plan, credit and subject area requirements, and new graduation pathway options. Use any of the developed graphics in this shared folder to communicate about it! Reach out to us if you have suggestions for more content.

Materials for Families and Students


Washington Graduation Requirements Infographic for Students and Families (PDF)

Learn more about diploma requirements, including the High School and Beyond Plan as well as number of credits needed in each subject, in these two new handouts:

Graduation Requirements

If you are a student or family member of a student, see the Families and Students page. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (WAC 180-51-035). They are held to the graduation requirements of that graduation year regardless of the year they actually complete high school.

High School and Beyond Plan

The High School and Beyond Plan is a graduation requirement for every student. It's a process for students, parents, and teachers to guide students through high school and think about their future. Plans are personalized and designed to help students set, visualize, and work to achieve goals. A High School and Beyond Plan is one of the three components, along with Credit and Subject Area Requirements, and Graduation Pathway Options, that Washington students must complete to achieve a high school diploma.

Emergency waiver research brief

In 2021, the legislature authorized the State Board of Education to establish an emergency waiver program to allow school districts to waive certain high school graduation requirements in the wake of COVID-19. The waiver was designed to be used on an individual student basis after the district makes a good faith effort to help the student meet the requirements.

September meeting recap

EC CommitteeIt was another historic meeting this September as student member Pavan Venkatakrishnan was elected to the Board’s Executive Committee (it provides guidance on the Board’s agenda and oversight of the budget). The Executive Committee is now comprised of Mary Fertakis, Harium Martin-Morris, Pavan Venkatakrishnan, Bill Kallappa, and Kevin Wang (photo to the right). Pavan will be the first student member of this committee.

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