Ed. Code, § 41382

The principal of any elementary school maintaining kindergarten classes or regular day classes in grades 1 to 3, inclusive, may recommend to the governing board of the school district, or the governing board may adopt a resolution determining, that an exemption should be granted from any of the provisions of Section 41376, 41378, or 41379 with respect to such classes on the basis that such provisions prevent the school and school district from developing more effective educational programs to improve instruction in reading and mathematics for pupils in the specified classes. Upon approval of such recommendation, or the adoption of such resolution, the governing board shall make application to the State Board of Education on behalf of the school for an exemption for such classes from the specified provisions. The State Board of Education shall grant the application if it finds that the specified provisions of Section 41376, 41378, or 41379 prevent the school from developing more effective educational programs to improve instruction in reading and mathematics for pupils in the specified classes and shall, upon granting the application, exempt the school district from the penalty provision of such sections.