San Francisco school board adopts A–G high‑school graduation policy after debate over waivers and swimming test

The San Francisco Unified School District board on June 8 voted to adopt a revised high‑school graduation policy that requires students to complete the University of California/California State University A–G course sequence beginning with the class of 2014.

The policy, presented by district staff member Mister Sanderson, also outlines exceptions and an administrative regulation implementing a waiver process that requires parental involvement and counseling. Sanderson said the change was recommended by a task force overseeing A–G implementation and that the district would adopt administrative regulations so families and counselors work through waiver decisions together.

Public speakers including Maria Teresa Ponce of the Bilingual Community Council and Darilyn Tom, a teacher at Mission High School, urged clearer language and stronger safeguards for English learners and students who arrive in the district at older ages. "The waiver part of it is very vague — who's going to be telling their parents what does this mean?" Ponce told the board, urging more explanation for families.

Board members pressed staff on monitoring and implementation. Commissioner (name recorded as) Wins asked how the district would monitor students’ progress after the change, citing past shifts that produced higher numbers of students off track for graduation. Sanderson said the policy includes an administrative regulation and that the district will track implementation through its student information systems and the curriculum committee.

The meeting centered on three specific points: the waiver process for newcomer and English‑learner students; how electives count toward the 10‑semester/50‑credit elective requirement; and a recommended change on the swimming proficiency requirement for graduation. Commissioners expressed differing views on the swimming test — some noted it has been waived for a large share of students and is difficult to administer; others pushed to retain it as a life skill and to identify ways to keep testing feasible.

To address confusion about electives, the board amended the language to require at minimum two semesters (10 credits) of A–G electives while explicitly allowing non‑A–G electives such as physical education to count toward the district’s elective requirement. The amended motion passed on roll call (the agenda records six affirmative votes). The board directed staff to return to the curriculum committee with supporting administrative regulations and to review related board policies to ensure consistency.

What happens next: the board approved the policy as amended; staff will draft the administrative regulation that details the waiver process, monitoring and reporting provisions and will return with implementation guidance and a timeline.

Vote: The policy passed on the board’s roll call (recorded as six ayes).