Waiver Process for the California State Board of Education
The purpose of a waiver is to provide flexibility in a school district or county office of education without undermining the basic intent of the law. The governing board of a school district or county office of education may request a waiver of parts of the California Education Code and regulations. The State Board of Education (SBE) may approve such waivers under the general waiver authority, sections 33050-33053. Some statutes are excluded from the general waiver authority (DOC; Posted 04-Nov-2008).
Specific waivers are granted under the authority given to the SBE in various specific Education Code sections and are generally more limited in scope. The specific authority most commonly used is Education Code Section 56101 for students with disabilities. In addition to school districts and county office governing boards, Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPA's) may request this waiver for students with disabilities.
Submit a Waiver Request
Information about the online waiver process to submit waivers to the State Board of Education. Information
includes, Frequently Asked Questions,
what data elements are required for submission, and sample Education Code strike-out language.
2013 Waiver Calendar
Calendar dates for the State Board of Education meetings.
Waiver Contact Guide
List of topics of waiver requests and the corresponding department
staff with phone numbers.
Waiver Reports
For the years 2005 through 2010.
Waiver Policies
Here are the most current ones available. Waiver policies that used to reside on the State Board of Education's web site are now on this page.
Contact the Waiver Office
Mailing Address
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 5602
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone Numbers
Main Telephone Number: 916-319-0824
Fax Number: 916-319-0117
Mary Prather, Administrator: 916-319-0824
Christine Gordon, Education Programs Consultant: 916-319-0823
Joann Bonillas, Analyst: 916-319-0592
Larisa Martinez, Seasonal Clerk: 916-319-0593
E-mail Addresses
mprather@cde.ca.gov
cgordon@cde.ca.gov
jbonilla@cde.ca.gov
lmartinez@cde.ca.gov
Other Places to visit
For more information on the State Board of Education, visit its
Web site at: State Board of Education
Got a question regarding teaching credentials waivers? Go
to the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
