ATLANTA -- The state Board of Education has approved waivers to allow gifted eighth-graders taking high school math classes this year to have their work count toward graduation.

The state already permits middle school students to take high school courses that count toward graduation. Waivers were needed because of the new curriculum and graduation rules.

The waivers approved Thursday benefit high-achieving students in 21 school systems, including Cherokee, Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties.

The state is replacing traditional math courses with classes that integrate multiple math concepts into single courses.

The old high school math classes are the only courses available this year.

The graduation rule that begins with this year's 8th-graders requires them to take the new math classes. Without the waivers, some students' work would not have counted.