Florida Senate - 2021                                     SB 202
       
       
        
       By Senator Cruz
       
       
       
       
       
       18-00298-21                                            2021202__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to standard high school diploma award
    3         requirements; amending s. 1002.3105, F.S.; conforming
    4         a cross-reference; adding a new requirement for the
    5         award of a standard high school diploma to
    6         Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance
    7         Learning students; amending s. 1003.4282, F.S.;
    8         requiring certain students to submit a Free
    9         Application for Federal Student Aid in order to be
   10         awarded a standard high school diploma; providing an
   11         exception; amending s. 1003.5716, F.S.; conforming a
   12         cross-reference; reenacting s. 1003.03(3)(c), F.S.,
   13         relating to maximum class size, to incorporate the
   14         amendment made to s. 1002.3105, F.S., in a reference
   15         thereto; reenacting ss. 1002.20(8), 1003.4281(1),
   16         1003.4285(1), 1003.5716(1), and 1011.62(1)(n), F.S.,
   17         to incorporate the amendment made to s. 1003.4282,
   18         F.S., in references thereto; reenacting ss.
   19         409.1451(2)(a), 1002.33(7)(a), 1002.34(4)(g),
   20         1002.45(4)(b), 1003.49(1), 1004.935(1), 1006.15(3)(a),
   21         1009.531(1)(b), and 1009.893(4), F.S., relating to the
   22         Road-to-Independence Program, charter schools, virtual
   23         instruction, standard graduation requirements, the
   24         Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education Program,
   25         standards for participation in extracurricular student
   26         activities, the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
   27         program, and the Benacquisto Scholarship Program,
   28         respectively, to incorporate the amendments made to
   29         ss. 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, F.S., in references
   30         thereto; providing an effective date.
   31          
   32  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   33  
   34         Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 1002.3105, Florida
   35  Statutes, is amended to read:
   36         1002.3105 Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance
   37  Learning (ACCEL) options.—
   38         (5) AWARD OF A STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.—A student who
   39  meets the applicable grade 9 cohort graduation requirements of
   40  s. 1003.4282(3)(a)-(e) or s. 1003.4282(10)(a)1.-5. s.
   41  1003.4282(9)(a)1.-5., (b)1.-5., (c)1.-5., or (d)1.-5., earns
   42  three credits in electives, and earns a cumulative grade point
   43  average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and complies with the Free
   44  Application for Federal Student Aid requirement of s.
   45  1003.4282(5) shall be awarded a standard high school diploma in
   46  a form prescribed by the State Board of Education.
   47         Section 2. Present subsections (5) through (12) of section
   48  1003.4282, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (6)
   49  through (13), respectively, and a new subsection (5) is added to
   50  that section, to read:
   51         1003.4282 Requirements for a standard high school diploma.—
   52         (5)FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID REQUIREMENT.
   53  Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2022-2023 school
   54  year, a student must submit a Free Application for Federal
   55  Student Aid in order to be awarded a standard high school
   56  diploma. However, a student is exempt from the requirements of
   57  this subsection if the student’s parent or the student, if such
   58  student is 18 years of age or older, submits a letter to the
   59  school district declining to submit the Free Application for
   60  Federal Student Aid.
   61         Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
   62  1003.5716, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   63         1003.5716 Transition to postsecondary education and career
   64  opportunities.—All students with disabilities who are 3 years of
   65  age to 21 years of age have the right to a free, appropriate
   66  public education. As used in this section, the term “IEP” means
   67  individual education plan.
   68         (2) Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect
   69  when the student attains the age of 16, or younger if determined
   70  appropriate by the parent and the IEP team, the IEP must include
   71  the following statements that must be updated annually:
   72         (b) A statement of intent to receive a standard high school
   73  diploma before the student attains the age of 22 and a
   74  description of how the student will fully meet the requirements
   75  in s. 1003.4282, including, but not limited to, a portfolio
   76  pursuant to s. 1003.4282(11)(b) s. 1003.4282(10)(b) which meets
   77  the criteria specified in State Board of Education rule. The IEP
   78  must also specify the outcomes and additional benefits expected
   79  by the parent and the IEP team at the time of the student’s
   80  graduation.
   81         Section 4. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
   82  made by this act to section 1002.3105, Florida Statutes, in a
   83  reference thereto, paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
   84  1003.03, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
   85         1003.03 Maximum class size.—
   86         (3) IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS.—District school boards must
   87  consider, but are not limited to, implementing the following
   88  items in order to meet the constitutional class size maximums
   89  described in subsection (1):
   90         (c)1. Repeal district school board policies that require
   91  students to earn more than the 24 credits to graduate from high
   92  school.
   93         2. Implement the early graduation options provided in ss.
   94  1002.3105(5) and 1003.4281.
   95         Section 5. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
   96  made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a
   97  reference thereto, subsection (8) of section 1002.20, Florida
   98  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
   99         1002.20 K-12 student and parent rights.—Parents of public
  100  school students must receive accurate and timely information
  101  regarding their child’s academic progress and must be informed
  102  of ways they can help their child to succeed in school. K-12
  103  students and their parents are afforded numerous statutory
  104  rights including, but not limited to, the following:
  105         (8) STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.—Parents of public school
  106  students with disabilities and parents of public school students
  107  in residential care facilities are entitled to notice and due
  108  process in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.57 and
  109  1003.58. Public school students with disabilities must be
  110  provided the opportunity to meet the graduation requirements for
  111  a standard high school diploma as set forth in s. 1003.4282 in
  112  accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.57 and 1008.22.
  113         Section 6. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  114  made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a
  115  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 1003.4281, Florida
  116  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  117         1003.4281 Early high school graduation.—
  118         (1) The purpose of this section is to provide a student the
  119  option of early graduation and receipt of a standard high school
  120  diploma if the student earns 24 credits and meets the graduation
  121  requirements set forth in s. 1003.4282. For purposes of this
  122  section, the term “early graduation” means graduation from high
  123  school in less than 8 semesters or the equivalent.
  124         Section 7. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  125  made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a
  126  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 1003.4285, Florida
  127  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  128         1003.4285 Standard high school diploma designations.—
  129         (1) Each standard high school diploma shall include, as
  130  applicable, the following designations if the student meets the
  131  criteria set forth for the designation:
  132         (a) Scholar designation.—In addition to the requirements of
  133  s. 1003.4282, in order to earn the Scholar designation, a
  134  student must satisfy the following requirements:
  135         1. Mathematics.—Earn one credit in Algebra II or an equally
  136  rigorous course and one credit in statistics or an equally
  137  rigorous course. Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the
  138  2014-2015 school year, pass the Geometry statewide, standardized
  139  assessment.
  140         2. Science.—Pass the statewide, standardized Biology I EOC
  141  assessment and earn one credit in chemistry or physics and one
  142  credit in a course equally rigorous to chemistry or physics.
  143  However, a student enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP),
  144  International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced International
  145  Certificate of Education (AICE) Biology course who takes the
  146  respective AP, IB, or AICE Biology assessment and earns the
  147  minimum score necessary to earn college credit as identified
  148  pursuant to s. 1007.27(2) meets the requirement of this
  149  subparagraph without having to take the statewide, standardized
  150  Biology I EOC assessment.
  151         3. Social studies.—Pass the statewide, standardized United
  152  States History EOC assessment. However, a student enrolled in an
  153  AP, IB, or AICE course that includes United States History
  154  topics who takes the respective AP, IB, or AICE assessment and
  155  earns the minimum score necessary to earn college credit as
  156  identified pursuant to s. 1007.27(2) meets the requirement of
  157  this subparagraph without having to take the statewide,
  158  standardized United States History EOC assessment.
  159         4. Foreign language.—Earn two credits in the same foreign
  160  language.
  161         5. Electives.—Earn at least one credit in an Advanced
  162  Placement, an International Baccalaureate, an Advanced
  163  International Certificate of Education, or a dual enrollment
  164  course.
  165         (b) Merit designation.—In addition to the requirements of
  166  s. 1003.4282, in order to earn the Merit designation, a student
  167  must attain one or more industry certifications from the list
  168  established under s. 1003.492.
  169         Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  170  made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a
  171  reference thereto, subsection (1) of section 1003.5716, Florida
  172  Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  173         1003.5716 Transition to postsecondary education and career
  174  opportunities.—All students with disabilities who are 3 years of
  175  age to 21 years of age have the right to a free, appropriate
  176  public education. As used in this section, the term “IEP” means
  177  individual education plan.
  178         (1) To ensure quality planning for a successful transition
  179  of a student with a disability to postsecondary education and
  180  career opportunities, an IEP team shall begin the process of,
  181  and develop an IEP for, identifying the need for transition
  182  services before the student with a disability attains the age of
  183  14 years in order for his or her postsecondary goals and career
  184  goals to be identified and in place when he or she attains the
  185  age of 16 years. This process must include, but is not limited
  186  to:
  187         (a) Consideration of the student’s need for instruction in
  188  the area of self-determination and self-advocacy to assist the
  189  student’s active and effective participation in an IEP meeting;
  190  and
  191         (b) Preparation for the student to graduate from high
  192  school with a standard high school diploma pursuant to s.
  193  1003.4282 with a Scholar designation unless the parent chooses a
  194  Merit designation.
  195         Section 9. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
  196  made by this act to section 1003.4282, Florida Statutes, in a
  197  reference thereto, paragraph (n) of subsection (1) of section
  198  1011.62, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  199         1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual
  200  allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each
  201  district for operation of schools is not determined in the
  202  annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing
  203  the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as
  204  follows:
  205         (1) COMPUTATION OF THE BASIC AMOUNT TO BE INCLUDED FOR
  206  OPERATION.—The following procedure shall be followed in
  207  determining the annual allocation to each district for
  208  operation:
  209         (n) Calculation of additional full-time equivalent
  210  membership based on college board advanced placement scores of
  211  students and earning college board advanced placement capstone
  212  diplomas.—A value of 0.16 full-time equivalent student
  213  membership shall be calculated for each student in each advanced
  214  placement course who receives a score of 3 or higher on the
  215  College Board Advanced Placement Examination for the prior year
  216  and added to the total full-time equivalent student membership
  217  in basic programs for grades 9 through 12 in the subsequent
  218  fiscal year. A value of 0.3 full-time equivalent student
  219  membership shall be calculated for each student who receives a
  220  College Board Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma and meets the
  221  requirements for a standard high school diploma under s.
  222  1003.4282. Such value shall be added to the total full-time
  223  equivalent student membership in basic programs for grades 9
  224  through 12 in the subsequent fiscal year. Each district must
  225  allocate at least 80 percent of the funds provided to the
  226  district for advanced placement instruction, in accordance with
  227  this paragraph, to the high school that generates the funds. The
  228  school district shall distribute to each classroom teacher who
  229  provided advanced placement instruction:
  230         1. A bonus in the amount of $50 for each student taught by
  231  the Advanced Placement teacher in each advanced placement course
  232  who receives a score of 3 or higher on the College Board
  233  Advanced Placement Examination.
  234         2. An additional bonus of $500 to each Advanced Placement
  235  teacher in a school designated with a grade of “D” or “F” who
  236  has at least one student scoring 3 or higher on the College
  237  Board Advanced Placement Examination, regardless of the number
  238  of classes taught or of the number of students scoring a 3 or
  239  higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination.
  240  
  241  Bonuses awarded under this paragraph shall be in addition to any
  242  regular wage or other bonus the teacher received or is scheduled
  243  to receive. For such courses, the teacher shall earn an
  244  additional bonus of $50 for each student who has a qualifying
  245  score.
  246         Section 10. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  247  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  248  Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (2)
  249  of section 409.1451, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  250         409.1451 The Road-to-Independence Program.—
  251         (2) POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION SERVICES AND SUPPORT.—
  252         (a) A young adult is eligible for services and support
  253  under this subsection if he or she:
  254         1. Was living in licensed care on his or her 18th birthday
  255  or is currently living in licensed care; or was at least 16
  256  years of age and was adopted from foster care or placed with a
  257  court-approved dependency guardian after spending at least 6
  258  months in licensed care within the 12 months immediately
  259  preceding such placement or adoption;
  260         2. Spent at least 6 months in licensed care before reaching
  261  his or her 18th birthday;
  262         3. Earned a standard high school diploma pursuant to s.
  263  1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282, or its equivalent
  264  pursuant to s. 1003.435;
  265         4. Has been admitted for enrollment as a full-time student
  266  or its equivalent in an eligible postsecondary educational
  267  institution as provided in s. 1009.533. For purposes of this
  268  section, the term “full-time” means 9 credit hours or the
  269  vocational school equivalent. A student may enroll part-time if
  270  he or she has a recognized disability or is faced with another
  271  challenge or circumstance that would prevent full-time
  272  attendance. A student needing to enroll part-time for any reason
  273  other than having a recognized disability must get approval from
  274  his or her academic advisor;
  275         5. Has reached 18 years of age but is not yet 23 years of
  276  age;
  277         6. Has applied, with assistance from the young adult’s
  278  caregiver and the community-based lead agency, for any other
  279  grants and scholarships for which he or she may qualify;
  280         7. Submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  281  which is complete and error free; and
  282         8. Signed an agreement to allow the department and the
  283  community-based care lead agency access to school records.
  284         Section 11. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  285  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  286  Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (7)
  287  of section 1002.33, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  288         1002.33 Charter schools.—
  289         (7) CHARTER.—The terms and conditions for the operation of
  290  a charter school shall be set forth by the sponsor and the
  291  applicant in a written contractual agreement, called a charter.
  292  The sponsor and the governing board of the charter school shall
  293  use the standard charter contract pursuant to subsection (21),
  294  which shall incorporate the approved application and any addenda
  295  approved with the application. Any term or condition of a
  296  proposed charter contract that differs from the standard charter
  297  contract adopted by rule of the State Board of Education shall
  298  be presumed a limitation on charter school flexibility. The
  299  sponsor may not impose unreasonable rules or regulations that
  300  violate the intent of giving charter schools greater flexibility
  301  to meet educational goals. The charter shall be signed by the
  302  governing board of the charter school and the sponsor, following
  303  a public hearing to ensure community input.
  304         (a) The charter shall address and criteria for approval of
  305  the charter shall be based on:
  306         1. The school’s mission, the students to be served, and the
  307  ages and grades to be included.
  308         2. The focus of the curriculum, the instructional methods
  309  to be used, any distinctive instructional techniques to be
  310  employed, and identification and acquisition of appropriate
  311  technologies needed to improve educational and administrative
  312  performance which include a means for promoting safe, ethical,
  313  and appropriate uses of technology which comply with legal and
  314  professional standards.
  315         a. The charter shall ensure that reading is a primary focus
  316  of the curriculum and that resources are provided to identify
  317  and provide specialized instruction for students who are reading
  318  below grade level. The curriculum and instructional strategies
  319  for reading must be consistent with the Next Generation Sunshine
  320  State Standards and grounded in scientifically based reading
  321  research.
  322         b. In order to provide students with access to diverse
  323  instructional delivery models, to facilitate the integration of
  324  technology within traditional classroom instruction, and to
  325  provide students with the skills they need to compete in the
  326  21st century economy, the Legislature encourages instructional
  327  methods for blended learning courses consisting of both
  328  traditional classroom and online instructional techniques.
  329  Charter schools may implement blended learning courses which
  330  combine traditional classroom instruction and virtual
  331  instruction. Students in a blended learning course must be full
  332  time students of the charter school pursuant to s.
  333  1011.61(1)(a)1. Instructional personnel certified pursuant to s.
  334  1012.55 who provide virtual instruction for blended learning
  335  courses may be employees of the charter school or may be under
  336  contract to provide instructional services to charter school
  337  students. At a minimum, such instructional personnel must hold
  338  an active state or school district adjunct certification under
  339  s. 1012.57 for the subject area of the blended learning course.
  340  The funding and performance accountability requirements for
  341  blended learning courses are the same as those for traditional
  342  courses.
  343         3. The current incoming baseline standard of student
  344  academic achievement, the outcomes to be achieved, and the
  345  method of measurement that will be used. The criteria listed in
  346  this subparagraph shall include a detailed description of:
  347         a. How the baseline student academic achievement levels and
  348  prior rates of academic progress will be established.
  349         b. How these baseline rates will be compared to rates of
  350  academic progress achieved by these same students while
  351  attending the charter school.
  352         c. To the extent possible, how these rates of progress will
  353  be evaluated and compared with rates of progress of other
  354  closely comparable student populations.
  355  
  356  The district school board is required to provide academic
  357  student performance data to charter schools for each of their
  358  students coming from the district school system, as well as
  359  rates of academic progress of comparable student populations in
  360  the district school system.
  361         4. The methods used to identify the educational strengths
  362  and needs of students and how well educational goals and
  363  performance standards are met by students attending the charter
  364  school. The methods shall provide a means for the charter school
  365  to ensure accountability to its constituents by analyzing
  366  student performance data and by evaluating the effectiveness and
  367  efficiency of its major educational programs. Students in
  368  charter schools shall, at a minimum, participate in the
  369  statewide assessment program created under s. 1008.22.
  370         5. In secondary charter schools, a method for determining
  371  that a student has satisfied the requirements for graduation in
  372  s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282.
  373         6. A method for resolving conflicts between the governing
  374  board of the charter school and the sponsor.
  375         7. The admissions procedures and dismissal procedures,
  376  including the school’s code of student conduct. Admission or
  377  dismissal must not be based on a student’s academic performance.
  378         8. The ways by which the school will achieve a
  379  racial/ethnic balance reflective of the community it serves or
  380  within the racial/ethnic range of other public schools in the
  381  same school district.
  382         9. The financial and administrative management of the
  383  school, including a reasonable demonstration of the professional
  384  experience or competence of those individuals or organizations
  385  applying to operate the charter school or those hired or
  386  retained to perform such professional services and the
  387  description of clearly delineated responsibilities and the
  388  policies and practices needed to effectively manage the charter
  389  school. A description of internal audit procedures and
  390  establishment of controls to ensure that financial resources are
  391  properly managed must be included. Both public sector and
  392  private sector professional experience shall be equally valid in
  393  such a consideration.
  394         10. The asset and liability projections required in the
  395  application which are incorporated into the charter and shall be
  396  compared with information provided in the annual report of the
  397  charter school.
  398         11. A description of procedures that identify various risks
  399  and provide for a comprehensive approach to reduce the impact of
  400  losses; plans to ensure the safety and security of students and
  401  staff; plans to identify, minimize, and protect others from
  402  violent or disruptive student behavior; and the manner in which
  403  the school will be insured, including whether or not the school
  404  will be required to have liability insurance, and, if so, the
  405  terms and conditions thereof and the amounts of coverage.
  406         12. The term of the charter which shall provide for
  407  cancellation of the charter if insufficient progress has been
  408  made in attaining the student achievement objectives of the
  409  charter and if it is not likely that such objectives can be
  410  achieved before expiration of the charter. The initial term of a
  411  charter shall be for 5 years, excluding 2 planning years. In
  412  order to facilitate access to long-term financial resources for
  413  charter school construction, charter schools that are operated
  414  by a municipality or other public entity as provided by law are
  415  eligible for up to a 15-year charter, subject to approval by the
  416  district school board. A charter lab school is eligible for a
  417  charter for a term of up to 15 years. In addition, to facilitate
  418  access to long-term financial resources for charter school
  419  construction, charter schools that are operated by a private,
  420  not-for-profit, s. 501(c)(3) status corporation are eligible for
  421  up to a 15-year charter, subject to approval by the district
  422  school board. Such long-term charters remain subject to annual
  423  review and may be terminated during the term of the charter, but
  424  only according to the provisions set forth in subsection (8).
  425         13. The facilities to be used and their location. The
  426  sponsor may not require a charter school to have a certificate
  427  of occupancy or a temporary certificate of occupancy for such a
  428  facility earlier than 15 calendar days before the first day of
  429  school.
  430         14. The qualifications to be required of the teachers and
  431  the potential strategies used to recruit, hire, train, and
  432  retain qualified staff to achieve best value.
  433         15. The governance structure of the school, including the
  434  status of the charter school as a public or private employer as
  435  required in paragraph (12)(i).
  436         16. A timetable for implementing the charter which
  437  addresses the implementation of each element thereof and the
  438  date by which the charter shall be awarded in order to meet this
  439  timetable.
  440         17. In the case of an existing public school that is being
  441  converted to charter status, alternative arrangements for
  442  current students who choose not to attend the charter school and
  443  for current teachers who choose not to teach in the charter
  444  school after conversion in accordance with the existing
  445  collective bargaining agreement or district school board rule in
  446  the absence of a collective bargaining agreement. However,
  447  alternative arrangements shall not be required for current
  448  teachers who choose not to teach in a charter lab school, except
  449  as authorized by the employment policies of the state university
  450  which grants the charter to the lab school.
  451         18. Full disclosure of the identity of all relatives
  452  employed by the charter school who are related to the charter
  453  school owner, president, chairperson of the governing board of
  454  directors, superintendent, governing board member, principal,
  455  assistant principal, or any other person employed by the charter
  456  school who has equivalent decisionmaking authority. For the
  457  purpose of this subparagraph, the term “relative” means father,
  458  mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first
  459  cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in
  460  law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law,
  461  stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother,
  462  stepsister, half brother, or half sister.
  463         19. Implementation of the activities authorized under s.
  464  1002.331 by the charter school when it satisfies the eligibility
  465  requirements for a high-performing charter school. A high
  466  performing charter school shall notify its sponsor in writing by
  467  March 1 if it intends to increase enrollment or expand grade
  468  levels the following school year. The written notice shall
  469  specify the amount of the enrollment increase and the grade
  470  levels that will be added, as applicable.
  471         Section 12. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  472  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  473  Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (g) of subsection (4)
  474  of section 1002.34, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  475         1002.34 Charter technical career centers.—
  476         (4) CHARTER.—A sponsor may designate centers as provided in
  477  this section. An application to establish a center may be
  478  submitted by a sponsor or another organization that is
  479  determined, by rule of the State Board of Education, to be
  480  appropriate. However, an independent school is not eligible for
  481  status as a center. The charter must be signed by the governing
  482  body of the center and the sponsor and must be approved by the
  483  district school board and Florida College System institution
  484  board of trustees in whose geographic region the facility is
  485  located. If a charter technical career center is established by
  486  the conversion to charter status of a public technical center
  487  formerly governed by a district school board, the charter status
  488  of that center takes precedence in any question of governance.
  489  The governance of the center or of any program within the center
  490  remains with its board of directors unless the board agrees to a
  491  change in governance or its charter is revoked as provided in
  492  subsection (15). Such a conversion charter technical career
  493  center is not affected by a change in the governance of public
  494  technical centers or of programs within other centers that are
  495  or have been governed by district school boards. A charter
  496  technical career center, or any program within such a center,
  497  that was governed by a district school board and transferred to
  498  a Florida College System institution prior to the effective date
  499  of this act is not affected by this provision. An applicant who
  500  wishes to establish a center must submit to the district school
  501  board or Florida College System institution board of trustees,
  502  or a consortium of one or more of each, an application on a form
  503  developed by the Department of Education which includes:
  504         (g) A method for determining whether a student has
  505  satisfied the requirements for graduation specified in s.
  506  1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 and for completion
  507  of a postsecondary certificate or degree.
  508  
  509  Students at a center must meet the same testing and academic
  510  performance standards as those established by law and rule for
  511  students at public schools and public technical centers. The
  512  students must also meet any additional assessment indicators
  513  that are included within the charter approved by the district
  514  school board or Florida College System institution board of
  515  trustees.
  516         Section 13. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  517  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  518  Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (4)
  519  of section 1002.45, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  520         1002.45 Virtual instruction programs.—
  521         (4) CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.—Each contract with an approved
  522  provider must at minimum:
  523         (b) Provide a method for determining that a student has
  524  satisfied the requirements for graduation in s. 1002.3105(5), s.
  525  1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 if the contract is for the provision
  526  of a full-time virtual instruction program to students in grades
  527  9 through 12.
  528         Section 14. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  529  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  530  Statutes, in references thereto, subsection (1) of section
  531  1003.49, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  532         1003.49 Graduation and promotion requirements for publicly
  533  operated schools.—
  534         (1) Each state or local public agency, including the
  535  Department of Children and Families, the Department of
  536  Corrections, the boards of trustees of universities and Florida
  537  College System institutions, and the Board of Trustees of the
  538  Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, which agency is
  539  authorized to operate educational programs for students at any
  540  level of grades kindergarten through 12, shall be subject to all
  541  applicable requirements of ss. 1002.3105(5), 1003.4281,
  542  1003.4282, 1008.23, and 1008.25. Within the content of these
  543  cited statutes each such state or local public agency or entity
  544  shall be considered a “district school board.”
  545         Section 15. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  546  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  547  Statutes, in references thereto, subsection (1) of section
  548  1004.935, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  549         1004.935 Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education
  550  Program.—
  551         (1) The Adults with Disabilities Workforce Education
  552  Program is established in the Department of Education in Hardee,
  553  DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties to provide the option of
  554  receiving a scholarship for instruction at private schools for
  555  up to 30 students who:
  556         (a) Have a disability;
  557         (b) Are 22 years of age;
  558         (c) Are receiving instruction from an instructor in a
  559  private school to meet the high school graduation requirements
  560  in s. 1002.3105(5) or s. 1003.4282;
  561         (d) Do not have a standard high school diploma or a special
  562  high school diploma; and
  563         (e) Receive “supported employment services,” which means
  564  employment that is located or provided in an integrated work
  565  setting with earnings paid on a commensurate wage basis and for
  566  which continued support is needed for job maintenance.
  567  
  568  As used in this section, the term “student with a disability”
  569  includes a student who is documented as having an intellectual
  570  disability; a speech impairment; a language impairment; a
  571  hearing impairment, including deafness; a visual impairment,
  572  including blindness; a dual sensory impairment; an orthopedic
  573  impairment; another health impairment; an emotional or
  574  behavioral disability; a specific learning disability,
  575  including, but not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or
  576  developmental aphasia; a traumatic brain injury; a developmental
  577  delay; or autism spectrum disorder.
  578         Section 16. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  579  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  580  Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (a) of subsection (3)
  581  of section 1006.15, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  582         1006.15 Student standards for participation in
  583  interscholastic and intrascholastic extracurricular student
  584  activities; regulation.—
  585         (3)(a) As used in this section and s. 1006.20, the term
  586  “eligible to participate” includes, but is not limited to, a
  587  student participating in tryouts, off-season conditioning,
  588  summer workouts, preseason conditioning, in-season practice, or
  589  contests. The term does not mean that a student must be placed
  590  on any specific team for interscholastic or intrascholastic
  591  extracurricular activities. To be eligible to participate in
  592  interscholastic extracurricular student activities, a student
  593  must:
  594         1. Maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0
  595  scale, or its equivalent, in the previous semester or a
  596  cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale,
  597  or its equivalent, in the courses required by s. 1002.3105(5) or
  598  s. 1003.4282.
  599         2. Execute and fulfill the requirements of an academic
  600  performance contract between the student, the district school
  601  board, the appropriate governing association, and the student’s
  602  parents, if the student’s cumulative grade point average falls
  603  below 2.0, or its equivalent, on a 4.0 scale in the courses
  604  required by s. 1002.3105(5) or s. 1003.4282. At a minimum, the
  605  contract must require that the student attend summer school, or
  606  its graded equivalent, between grades 9 and 10 or grades 10 and
  607  11, as necessary.
  608         3. Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above on
  609  a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, in the courses required by s.
  610  1002.3105(5) or s. 1003.4282 during his or her junior or senior
  611  year.
  612         4. Maintain satisfactory conduct, including adherence to
  613  appropriate dress and other codes of student conduct policies
  614  described in s. 1006.07(2). If a student is convicted of, or is
  615  found to have committed, a felony or a delinquent act that would
  616  have been a felony if committed by an adult, regardless of
  617  whether adjudication is withheld, the student’s participation in
  618  interscholastic extracurricular activities is contingent upon
  619  established and published district school board policy.
  620         Section 17. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  621  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  622  Statutes, in references thereto, paragraph (b) of subsection (1)
  623  of section 1009.531, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  624         1009.531 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program;
  625  student eligibility requirements for initial awards.—
  626         (1) In order to be eligible for an initial award from any
  627  of the scholarships under the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
  628  Program, a student must:
  629         (b) Earn a standard Florida high school diploma pursuant to
  630  s. 1002.3105(5), s. 1003.4281, or s. 1003.4282 or a high school
  631  equivalency diploma pursuant to s. 1003.435 unless:
  632         1. The student completes a home education program according
  633  to s. 1002.41;
  634         2. The student earns a high school diploma from a non
  635  Florida school while living with a parent or guardian who is on
  636  military or public service assignment away from Florida; or
  637         3. The student earns a high school diploma from a Florida
  638  private school operating pursuant to s. 1002.42.
  639         Section 18. For the purpose of incorporating the amendments
  640  made by this act to sections 1002.3105 and 1003.4282, Florida
  641  Statutes, in references thereto, subsection (4) of section
  642  1009.893, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
  643         1009.893 Benacquisto Scholarship Program.—
  644         (4) In order to be eligible for an initial award under the
  645  scholarship program, a student must meet the requirements of
  646  paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).
  647         (a) A student who is a resident of this state, as
  648  determined in s. 1009.40 and rules of the State Board of
  649  Education, must:
  650         1. Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its
  651  equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s. 1003.4282,
  652  or s. 1003.435 unless:
  653         a. The student completes a home education program according
  654  to s. 1002.41; or
  655         b. The student earns a high school diploma from a non
  656  Florida school while living with a parent who is on military or
  657  public service assignment out of this state;
  658         2. Be accepted by and enroll in a Florida public or
  659  independent postsecondary educational institution that is
  660  regionally accredited; and
  661         3. Be enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate degree program
  662  at an eligible regionally accredited Florida public or
  663  independent postsecondary educational institution during the
  664  fall academic term following high school graduation.
  665         (b) A student who initially enrolls in a baccalaureate
  666  degree program in the 2018-2019 academic year or later and who
  667  is not a resident of this state, as determined in s. 1009.40 and
  668  rules of the State Board of Education, must:
  669         1. Physically reside in this state on or near the campus of
  670  the postsecondary educational institution in which the student
  671  is enrolled;
  672         2. Earn a high school diploma from a school outside Florida
  673  which is comparable to a standard Florida high school diploma or
  674  its equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s.
  675  1003.4282, or s. 1003.435 or must complete a home education
  676  program in another state; and
  677         3. Be accepted by and enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate
  678  degree program at an eligible regionally accredited Florida
  679  public or independent postsecondary educational institution
  680  during the fall academic term following high school graduation.
  681         Section 19. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.