Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the stipulated completion dates of the long-range, comprehensive plans required by Chapter 139 of Title 59 of the 1976 Code may be extended until the end of school year 1994-95 upon approval from the State Board of Education. Districts requesting such a waiver must outline how the extension will improve the planning and implementation of Act 135 of 1993 and provide the expected date of completion. Before implementation of the plans, the plans must be submitted to the State Department of Education to be subjected to the peer review process; districts wishing to submit their plans before the required or expected completion date may do so. For 1994-95 schools and districts shall implement strategies for academic assistance to students experiencing difficulties in kindergarten through grade twelve. For school year 1993-94, schools may submit either the improvement plans consistent with state department guidelines or its five-year plan.