The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Demonstrated postsecondary preparation" means the student has demonstrated skills and knowledge indicating preparation for the next steps identified in their high school and beyond plan under RCW 28A.230.090 and for success in postsecondary education, gainful employment, and civic engagement.

(a) The school district shall review the individual student's completed and planned coursework and other information applicable to the individual student and determine if the student has demonstrated postsecondary preparation.

(b) This individual student review may include, but is not limited to, whether the following considerations apply to that student:

(i) The student has completed a graduation pathway option in accordance with RCW 28A.655.250 and WAC 180-51-230.

(ii) The student has completed activities consistent with the criteria for "career prep" or has participated in an approved "career launch" program through career connect Washington.

(iii) The student has completed a preparatory career and technical education course or a course that meets the preparatory standards as defined in RCW 28A.700.030.

(iv) The student has developed and practiced leadership and employability skills through a job, volunteer position, or a career and technical student organization that would enable them to advance in their chosen career field and has obtained external validation from an employer, tribal elder, CTE business or industry advisory committee member, or other community member that can attest to the student's preparation for their next steps.

(v) The student is a participant in a recognized apprenticeship preparation program or registered apprenticeship program or has signed an apprenticeship agreement with an employer.

(vi) The student has earned college credit in a core subject area.

(vii) The student has earned an industry recognized credential.

(viii) The student has completed minimum college admission standards for four-year institutions of higher education, in accordance with RCW 28B.77.020 (7)(a).

(ix) The student placed into a college-level math or English course at an institution of higher education.

(x) The student completed a summer bridge program or a senior transition course (bridge to college).

(xi) The student has completed an admission to a higher education institution or career preparation program.

(xii) The student received an award of a scholarship for higher education.

(2) "Eligible student" means:

(a) The student was reasonably expected to graduate as defined in subsection (5) of this section;

(b) The student has demonstrated postsecondary preparation as defined in subsection (1) of this section; and

(c) The student experienced a significant disruption to their ability to complete graduation requirements due to the emergency, which could include, but is not limited to: Inability for the student to access the school building or other education facility due to closure or, if online learning is a part of the school program, the student did not have a reliable internet connection or sufficient technology within their household, had to support their family by working during the emergency, had to care for family members during the emergency, illness of the student or student's household member, or other circumstances due to the emergency that directly compromised the student's ability to complete the credit requirements or a graduation pathway option.

(3) "Emergency" means the same as the definition for "emergency or disaster" in RCW 38.52.010. "Emergency" may also include a national declaration of emergency by an authorized federal official.

(4) "Good faith effort" means the school district considered and implemented options, determined appropriate by the school district, to support each individual student in meeting credit and pathway requirements.

(a) For each student who is being considered for the emergency waiver, school districts shall provide individual student advising to help each student determine: What supports they need to be successful; how they might meet the graduation requirements, including the feasibility of summer or a partial or full additional year of high school enrollment; and whether the emergency waiver is appropriate for the individual student.

(b) Options for supporting students to meet credit and course-based graduation pathway requirements include, but are not limited to:

(i) Provision of additional academic supports to aid student completion.

(ii) Awarding credits based on the student's demonstrated proficiency/mastery of the state's learning standards under WAC 180-51-050, 180-51-051, and 392-410-300, including credits, grades, and courses transcribed on the high school transcript.

(iii) Awarding credit through expanded learning opportunities, dual credit programs, work-based learning (WAC 392-410-315), traditional online, summer learning, CTE course equivalencies, and other local credit options for awarding credit outside of school.

(c) Options for supporting students to meet the exam-based graduation pathway requirement include, but are not limited to: Efforts to ensure students are aware of, and can access, online or by other alternative access options, the SAT, ACT, ASVAB, AP, IB, Cambridge International, and state assessments (if applicable). School districts are encouraged to reduce or eliminate any cost to students in using these options.

(5) "Reasonably expected to graduate" means the individual student's earned credits and current or planned enrollment would have been sufficient, as determined by the school district, for the student to meet the applicable state minimum graduation requirements for the student's graduation year cohort (as defined in WAC 180-51-056, 180-51-067, 180-51-068, and 180-51-210) by August 31st of the school year when the emergency waiver is granted if not for the impact of the emergency.

(6) "School district" means any school district, charter school established under chapter 28A.710 RCW, tribal compact school operated according to the terms of state-tribal education compacts authorized under chapter 28A.715 RCW, state schools established under chapter 72.40 RCW, and community and technical colleges granting high school diplomas.