Existing law allows a governing board of a school district to adopt a policy that allows a student that does not achieve satisfactory educational progress to remain eligible for extracurricular activities during a probationary period. Existing law caps the probationary period to a maximum of one semester. This law allows a probationary period to exceed one semester in length through the completion of the 2020–21 school year due to the impact of COVID-19.
SB 908 also provides for the waiver of the in-person meeting requirement for the issuance of a work permit. SB 908 authorizes school districts, charter schools, or county superintendents of schools to issue a work permit in the absence of the appearance of the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian if:
The minor’s school is closed for an extended period of time;
The minor submits his or her application is electronic; and
The minor and the minor’s parent or guardian attend a video conference with the person issuing the permit.
In addition, school districts, private schools, charter schools, or the county superintendent of schools may not deny a work permit based on a student’s grades, grade point average, or school attendance when the minor’s school has been physically closed for an extended time due to a natural disaster, pandemic, or another emergency.
As an urgency bill, AB 908 became effective immediately upon Governor Newsom signing it into law on September 11, 2020.
(AB 908 amends Sections 35160.5 and 49132 of the Education Code and adds Section 49200.)