Upon request of the governing board of any school district, the State Board of Education may, for a number of years to be specified by the board, grant the district exemption from one or more of the course of study requirements set forth in this division. The exemption may be renewed. Such exemption may be granted only if the board deems that the request made is an essential part of a planned experimental curriculum project which the board determines will adequately fit the educational needs and interests of the pupils.
The request for exemption shall include all of the following elements: