Education reformers' efforts to fortify the California high school diploma suffered another setback in recent days, as scores of school districts petition to dodge a requirement that this year's seniors pass an algebra class.

More than one-third of the state's high school districts already have applied for -- and probably will receive -- waivers. With the number still growing, the algebra condition attached to the 2004 diploma essentially becomes meaningless.

This comes less than a year after the state relented on a controversial requirement that this year's seniors also pass an exit exam. That expectation was handed to the Class of 2006.

``It's taking folks off the hook,'' complained Russlynn Ali, head of the Education Trust-West, a non-profit Oakland group that advocates on behalf of low-income and minority students.

The algebra waiver option supposedly will expire this year. But any postponement of the requirement ``is a bad idea,'' Ali said. ``You can't say something is a goal, then -- when it's time to carry it out -- decide it's not.''

At first glance, the law seemed simple enough. It required only that students master a low-level math course. Many get that class out of the way in middle school.

And even before the state requirement was adopted in 2000, many districts were stressing algebra. For several years, San Jose's largest high school districts, East Side Union and San Jose Unified, have required most students to pass the course.

But problems inevitably arise when the state tries to apply any rule to all students, including new immigrants and students in special education.

That's what happened with the high school exit exam, which the Class of 2004 also was supposed to be the first to pass. But last year the state, alarmed by a high failure rate, handed off that requirement to the Class of 2006.

``The law says every student must take and pass an algebra course,'' said Joana French, curriculum director at San Jose Unified. Her district, like East Side, has applied for the waiver. ``That isn't going to happen.''

For students restrained by language or developmental problems, the algebra requirement will pose as big a challenge next year as it does now.

Karin Mirassou teaches algebra to special education students at Leigh High School in San Jose. ``I understand trying to raise standards, but I don't think it benefits everybody,'' Mirassou said.

Algebra is particularly hard for some of her students, she said, because they have difficulty with abstract ideas and problems. ``It's just adding another barrier for them.''

This may help explain why almost 200 districts have applied for the algebra waiver so far. It's up to the State Board of Education to let districts out of the requirement, and its last meeting before school lets out is May 12-13. Districts across the state have been scrambling to submit requests.

``We had a 1-foot-high stack come in on Friday,'' said Judy Pinegar, manager of the California Department of Education waiver office. The conditions are not strict, and it's expected most or all applications will be approved.

As disappointing as the surge of waivers may be to some, state educators concede they are merely postponing the inevitable. Whether they like it or not, most district officials believe the chances of any future reprieves are slim.

That's why they are devoting resources, including some of their best teachers, to these very basic math classes now. At Milpitas High School, Lam Le -- who has taught mathematics at the college level -- teaches two classes of beginning algebra.

Le inherited several students who were failing but says she has only one F student now.

In her class, students actually start work before the bell rings. And they don't start to pack up until it rings again. ``Math takes discipline, and clear direction,'' Le said.

Le flits from group to group like a hummingbird, challenging them to solve the problems. She conducts most of the class in English but also can help students by clarifying in Spanish or Vietnamese.

Alejandra Centeno lived in Nicaragua until she was 13. When she moved to Milpitas two years ago, she spoke no English. Not surprisingly, she failed algebra.

But her English is much better, and she's getting an A in algebra. ``I like how Mrs. Le teaches,'' she said. ``She takes time to explain it.''

Several students in her class said they support the requirement linking algebra to graduation, despite their struggles. ``If you don't know how to do math, you can't get a good job,'' said Jouit Soliano, who came from the Philippines last year.

Educators like to call algebra a ``gatekeeper'' for job opportunity, one reason the requirement was enacted. That's also why many advocates of the requirement are disappointed now.

``Algebra is a fundamental skill for success in higher math, as well as in the workforce,'' said Ali of Education Trust-West. ``We're not doing the children a service by allowing districts to waive out of the requirement.''

Many educators are looking to next year with dread and resolve.

At Milpitas, administrators feel well-rehearsed, because students already need three years of math to graduate. ``We have certain kids who need a leg up,'' said Ken Schlaff, associate principal.

Some get that leg up with tutoring. Some go to summer school. And if they still don't get it, he added, ``There's always night school.''