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CS waiver policy and FAQ
CS waiver policy and FAQ
The official waiver policy, eligibility criteria, and FAQ are available here. The process map for the graduating class of 2025 is here, along with additional instructions.
In brief, all students are expected to complete a computer science course for high school graduation unless they complete a CTE pathway or IB programme that prevents CS from being scheduled into their course of study. Nuances are outlined in the document linked above, and if you have questions after reviewing that document and the FAQ, you can reach out with questions to cs4all@cps.edu.
Process Map
Process Map
Step 1
Step 1
The first step is completed during the first quarter of the school year.
After the 20th day of school, Division of Computer Science (DoCS) will solicit lists of students eligible to waive the Computer Science (CS) graduation requirement from Central Office IB and CTE departments.
DoCS will provide lists of students eligible to receive CS waivers to schools via Google Sheets.
Criteria for CS Waiver eligibility for CTE, IB, and Advanced/Honors students can be found in the CS waivers guidance document.
Step 2
Step 2
The second step is completed during the second quarter of the school year.
Schools will receive a Google Sheet including all their 11th grade students to confirm lists of:
All 11th grade students.
All 11th grade students who have successfully completed the CS graduation requirement.
All 11th grade students who are eligible to waive the CS graduation requirement.
On the Google Sheet, Schools may submit requests to:
Remove students who are ineligible to waive the CS graduation requirement from the list.
Remove students who have successfully completed the CS graduation requirement from the list.
Add CTE and IB students who need a CS Waiver but do not appear on the list.
Step 3
Step 3
DoCS will review each CS Waiver request, and send the results of those reviews to each school by the end of the third quarter of the school year.
Schools will have an opportunity to appeal CS Waiver requests that are denied. These appeals can be submitted via the 'Student Graduation Requirement Waiver' ticket in ServiceNOW.
The CS waiver will appear on each student’s transcript by the end of 11th grade.
Late waivers
Late waivers
Waivers are considered late if they are requested / granted when a student is in 12th grade. If you have a student in an exceptional situation (transfer, scheduling error, etc.) please reach out to cs4all@cps.edu and submit the 'Student Graduation Requirement Waiver' ticket in ServiceNOW.
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