OLYMPIA, Wash. — High School seniors with concerns about meeting their school’s requirements for graduation may have gotten some news. On Wednesday, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt emergency rules for school districts throughout the state of Washington.

The new rules will allow greater flexibility when it comes to awarding diplomas to high school seniors that are impacted by the pandemic.

According to the board, the rules become effective immediately and will last until the end of the school year in June. They essentially allow districts to decide what’s best for their students and meeting those requirements.

A student in Washington typically has to meet 24 credits to graduate. They also have to meet certain core and elective requirements as well. But the rules allow for the district to make exceptions, although they expect districts to make a good faith effort to try to get students to meet the 24-credit threshold.