The Florida Senate

1008.21  School readiness uniform screening (kindergarten).

1008.22  Student assessment program for public schools.

1008.221  Dependent children of military personnel transferring to Florida schools; equivalencies for standardized tests.

1008.23  Confidentiality of assessment instruments.

1008.24  Test security.

1008.25  Public school student progression; remedial instruction; reporting requirements.

1008.29  College-level communication and mathematics skills examination (CLAST).

1008.30  Common placement testing for public postsecondary education.

1008.301  FCAT equivalency; concordance study.

1008.21  School readiness uniform screening (kindergarten).--

(1)  The Department of Education shall implement the school readiness uniform screening developed by the Florida Partnership for School Readiness, and shall require that all school districts administer the kindergarten uniform screening to each kindergarten student in the district school system upon the student's entry into kindergarten.

(2)(a)  The Department of Education shall implement the school readiness uniform screening to validate the system recommended by the Florida Partnership for School Readiness as part of a comprehensive evaluation design. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, the department shall require that all school districts administer the school readiness uniform screening to each kindergarten student in the district school system upon the student's entry into kindergarten. Children who enter public school for the first time in first grade must be administered the school readiness uniform screening adopted for use in first grade. The department shall incorporate school readiness data into the K-20 data warehouse for longitudinal tracking.

(b)  The uniform screening shall provide objective data regarding the following expectations for school readiness which shall include, at a minimum:

1.  The child's immunizations and other health requirements as necessary, including appropriate vision and hearing screening and examinations.

2.  The child's physical development.

3.  The child's compliance with rules, limitations, and routines.

4.  The child's ability to perform tasks.

5.  The child's interactions with adults.

6.  The child's interactions with peers.

7.  The child's ability to cope with challenges.

8.  The child's self-help skills.

9.  The child's ability to express his or her needs.

10.  The child's verbal communication skills.

11.  The child's problem-solving skills.

12.  The child's ability to follow verbal directions.

13.  The child's demonstration of curiosity, persistence, and exploratory behavior.

14.  The child's interest in books and other printed materials.

15.  The child's ability to pay attention to stories.

16.  The child's participation in art and music activities.

17.  The child's ability to identify colors, geometric shapes, letters of the alphabet, numbers, and spatial and temporal relationships.

History.--s. 367, ch. 2002-387.

1008.22  Student assessment program for public schools.--

(1)  PURPOSE.--The primary purposes of the student assessment program are to provide information needed to improve the public schools by enhancing the learning gains of all students and to inform parents of the educational progress of their public school children. The program must be designed to:

(a)  Assess the annual learning gains of each student toward achieving the Sunshine State Standards appropriate for the student's grade level.

(b)  Provide data for making decisions regarding school accountability and recognition.

(c)  Identify the educational strengths and needs of students and the readiness of students to be promoted to the next grade level or to graduate from high school with a standard high school diploma.

(d)  Assess how well educational goals and performance standards are met at the school, district, and state levels.

(e)  Provide information to aid in the evaluation and development of educational programs and policies.

(f)  Provide information on the performance of Florida students compared with others across the United States.

(2)  NATIONAL EDUCATION COMPARISONS.--It is Florida's intent to participate in the measurement of national educational goals. The Commissioner of Education shall direct Florida school districts to participate in the administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or a similar national assessment program, both for the national sample and for any state-by-state comparison programs which may be initiated. Such assessments must be conducted using the data collection procedures, the student surveys, the educator surveys, and other instruments included in the National Assessment of Educational Progress or similar program being administered in Florida. The results of these assessments shall be included in the annual report of the Commissioner of Education specified in this section. The administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress or similar program shall be in addition to and separate from the administration of the statewide assessment program.

(3)  STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.--The commissioner shall design and implement a statewide program of educational assessment that provides information for the improvement of the operation and management of the public schools, including schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs. The commissioner may enter into contracts for the continued administration of the assessment, testing, and evaluation programs authorized and funded by the Legislature. Contracts may be initiated in 1 fiscal year and continue into the next and may be paid from the appropriations of either or both fiscal years. The commissioner is authorized to negotiate for the sale or lease of tests, scoring protocols, test scoring services, and related materials developed pursuant to law. Pursuant to the statewide assessment program, the commissioner shall:

(a)  Submit to the State Board of Education a list that specifies student skills and competencies to which the goals for education specified in the state plan apply, including, but not limited to, reading, writing, science, and mathematics. The skills and competencies must include problem-solving and higher-order skills as appropriate and shall be known as the Sunshine State Standards as defined in s. 1000.21. The commissioner shall select such skills and competencies after receiving recommendations from educators, citizens, and members of the business community. The commissioner shall submit to the State Board of Education revisions to the list of student skills and competencies in order to maintain continuous progress toward improvements in student proficiency.

(b)  Develop and implement a uniform system of indicators to describe the performance of public school students and the characteristics of the public school districts and the public schools. These indicators must include, without limitation, information gathered by the comprehensive management information system created pursuant to s. 1008.385 and student achievement information obtained pursuant to this section.

(c)  Develop and implement a student achievement testing program known as the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) as part of the statewide assessment program, to be administered annually in grades 3 through 10 to measure reading, writing, science, and mathematics. Other content areas may be included as directed by the commissioner. The testing program must be designed so that:

1.  The tests measure student skills and competencies adopted by the State Board of Education as specified in paragraph (a). The tests must measure and report student proficiency levels in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. The commissioner shall provide for the tests to be developed or obtained, as appropriate, through contracts and project agreements with private vendors, public vendors, public agencies, postsecondary educational institutions, or school districts. The commissioner shall obtain input with respect to the design and implementation of the testing program from state educators and the public.

2.  The testing program will include a combination of norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests and include, to the extent determined by the commissioner, questions that require the student to produce information or perform tasks in such a way that the skills and competencies he or she uses can be measured.

3.  Each testing program, whether at the elementary, middle, or high school level, includes a test of writing in which students are required to produce writings that are then scored by appropriate methods.

4.  A score is designated for each subject area tested, below which score a student's performance is deemed inadequate. The school districts shall provide appropriate remedial instruction to students who score below these levels.

5.  Except as provided in s. 1003.43(11)(b), students must earn a passing score on the grade 10 assessment test described in this paragraph or on an alternate assessment as described in subsection (9) in reading, writing, and mathematics to qualify for a regular high school diploma. The State Board of Education shall designate a passing score for each part of the grade 10 assessment test. In establishing passing scores, the state board shall consider any possible negative impact of the test on minority students. All students who took the grade 10 FCAT during the 2000-2001 school year shall be required to earn the passing scores in reading and mathematics established by the State Board of Education for the March 2001 test administration. Such students who did not earn the established passing scores and must repeat the grade 10 FCAT are required to earn the passing scores established for the March 2001 test administration. All students who take the grade 10 FCAT for the first time in March 2002 shall be required to earn the passing scores in reading and mathematics established by the State Board of Education for the March 2002 test administration. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules which specify the passing scores for the grade 10 FCAT. Any such rules, which have the effect of raising the required passing scores, shall only apply to students taking the grade 10 FCAT for the first time after such rules are adopted by the State Board of Education.

6.  Participation in the testing program is mandatory for all students attending public school, including students served in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, except as otherwise prescribed by the commissioner. If a student does not participate in the statewide assessment, the district must notify the student's parent and provide the parent with information regarding the implications of such nonparticipation. If modifications are made in the student's instruction to provide accommodations that would not be permitted on the statewide assessment tests, the district must notify the student's parent of the implications of such instructional modifications. A parent must provide signed consent for a student to receive instructional modifications that would not be permitted on the statewide assessments and must acknowledge in writing that he or she understands the implications of such accommodations. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules, based upon recommendations of the commissioner, for the provision of test accommodations and modifications of procedures as necessary for students in exceptional education programs and for students who have limited English proficiency. Accommodations that negate the validity of a statewide assessment are not allowable.

7.  A student seeking an adult high school diploma must meet the same testing requirements that a regular high school student must meet.

8.  District school boards must provide instruction to prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in the skills and competencies necessary for successful grade-to-grade progression and high school graduation. If a student is provided with accommodations or modifications that are not allowable in the statewide assessment program, as described in the test manuals, the district must inform the parent in writing and must provide the parent with information regarding the impact on the student's ability to meet expected proficiency levels in reading, writing, and math. The commissioner shall conduct studies as necessary to verify that the required skills and competencies are part of the district instructional programs.

9.  The Department of Education must develop, or select, and implement a common battery of assessment tools that will be used in all juvenile justice programs in the state. These tools must accurately measure the skills and competencies established in the Florida Sunshine State Standards.

The commissioner may design and implement student testing programs, for any grade level and subject area, necessary to effectively monitor educational achievement in the state.

(d)  Conduct ongoing research to develop improved methods of assessing student performance, including, without limitation, the use of technology to administer tests, score, or report the results of, the use of electronic transfer of data, the development of work-product assessments, and the development of process assessments.

(e)  Conduct ongoing research and analysis of student achievement data, including, without limitation, monitoring trends in student achievement, identifying school programs that are successful, and analyzing correlates of school achievement.

(f)  Provide technical assistance to school districts in the implementation of state and district testing programs and the use of the data produced pursuant to such programs.

(4)  DISTRICT TESTING PROGRAMS.--Each district school board shall periodically assess student performance and achievement within each school of the district. The assessment programs must be based upon local goals and objectives that are compatible with the state plan for education and that supplement the skills and competencies adopted by the State Board of Education. All school districts must participate in the statewide assessment program designed to measure annual student learning and school performance. All district school boards shall report assessment results as required by the state management information system.

(5)  SCHOOL TESTING PROGRAMS.--Each public school shall participate in the statewide assessment program, unless specifically exempted by state board rule based on serving a specialized population for which standardized testing is not appropriate. Student performance data shall be analyzed and reported to parents, the community, and the state. Student performance data shall be used in developing objectives of the school improvement plan, evaluation of instructional personnel, evaluation of administrative personnel, assignment of staff, allocation of resources, acquisition of instructional materials and technology, performance-based budgeting, and promotion and assignment of students into educational programs. The analysis of student performance data also must identify strengths and needs in the educational program and trends over time. The analysis must be used in conjunction with the budgetary planning processes developed pursuant to s. 1008.385 and the development of the programs of remediation.

(6)  REQUIRED ANALYSES.--The commissioner shall provide, at a minimum, for the following analyses of data produced by the student achievement testing program:

(a)  The statistical system for the annual assessments shall use measures of student learning, such as the FCAT, to determine teacher, school, and school district statistical distributions, which shall be determined using available data from the FCAT, and other data collection as deemed appropriate by the Department of Education, to measure the differences in student prior year achievement compared to the current year achievement for the purposes of accountability and recognition.

(b)  The statistical system shall provide the best estimates of teacher, school, and school district effects on student progress. The approach used by the department shall be approved by the commissioner before implementation.

(c)  The annual testing program shall be administered to provide for valid statewide comparisons of learning gains to be made for purposes of accountability and recognition. The commissioner shall establish a schedule for the administration of the statewide assessments. In establishing such schedule, the commissioner is charged with the duty to accomplish the latest possible administration of the statewide assessments and the earliest possible provision of the results to the school districts feasible within available technology and specific appropriation. District school boards shall not establish school calendars that jeopardize or limit the valid testing and comparison of student learning gains.

(7)  LOCAL ASSESSMENTS.--Measurement of the learning gains of students in all subjects and grade levels other than subjects and grade levels required for the state student achievement testing program is the responsibility of the school districts.

(8)  APPLICABILITY OF TESTING STANDARDS.--A student must meet the testing requirements for high school graduation that were in effect at the time the student entered 9th grade, provided the student's enrollment was continuous.

(9)  EQUIVALENCIES FOR STANDARDIZED TESTS.--

(a)  The Commissioner of Education shall approve the use of the SAT and ACT tests as alternative assessments to the grade 10 FCAT for the 2003-2004 school year. Students who attain scores on the SAT or ACT which equate to the passing scores on the grade 10 FCAT for purposes of high school graduation shall satisfy the assessment requirement for a standard high school diploma as provided in s. 1003.429(6)(a) or s. 1003.43(5)(a) for the 2003-2004 school year if the students meet the requirement in paragraph (b).

(b)  A student shall be required to take the grade 10 FCAT a total of three times without earning a passing score in order to use the scores on an alternative assessment pursuant to paragraph (a). This requirement shall not apply to a student who is a new student to the public school system in grade 12.

(10)  RULES.--The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this section.

History.--s. 368, ch. 2002-387; s. 7, ch. 2003-8; s. 2, ch. 2003-413; s. 49, ch. 2004-41; s. 3, ch. 2004-42; s. 5, ch. 2004-271.

1008.221  Dependent children of military personnel transferring to Florida schools; equivalencies for standardized tests.--A dependent child of a member of the United States Armed Forces who enters a public school at the 12th grade from out of state or from a foreign country and provides satisfactory proof of attaining a score on an approved alternative assessment that is concordant to a passing score on the grade 10 FCAT shall satisfy the assessment requirement for a standard high school diploma as provided in s. 1003.43(5)(a). For purposes of this section, approved alternative assessments are the SAT and ACT.

History.--s. 13, ch. 2004-230.

1008.23  Confidentiality of assessment instruments.--All examination and assessment instruments, including developmental materials and workpapers directly related thereto, which are prepared, prescribed, or administered pursuant to ss. 1003.43, 1008.22, and 1008.25 shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and from s. 1001.52. Provisions governing access, maintenance, and destruction of such instruments and related materials shall be prescribed by rules of the State Board of Education.

History.--s. 369, ch. 2002-387.

1008.24  Test security.--

(1)  It is unlawful for anyone knowingly and willfully to violate test security rules adopted by the State Board of Education for mandatory tests administered by or through the State Board of Education or the Commissioner of Education to students, educators, or applicants for certification or administered by school districts pursuant to s. 1008.22, or, with respect to any such test, knowingly and willfully to:

(a)  Give examinees access to test questions prior to testing;

(b)  Copy, reproduce, or use in any manner inconsistent with test security rules all or any portion of any secure test booklet;

(c)  Coach examinees during testing or alter or interfere with examinees' responses in any way;

(d)  Make answer keys available to examinees;

(e)  Fail to follow security rules for distribution and return of secure test as directed, or fail to account for all secure test materials before, during, and after testing;

(f)  Fail to follow test administration directions specified in the test administration manuals; or

(g)  Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, or encourage any of the acts prohibited in this section.

(2)  Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(3)  A district school superintendent, a president of a public postsecondary educational institution, or a president of a nonpublic postsecondary educational institution shall cooperate with the Commissioner of Education in any investigation concerning the administration of a test administered pursuant to state statute or rule.

History.--s. 370, ch. 2002-387.

1008.25  Public school student progression; remedial instruction; reporting requirements.--

(1)  INTENT.--It is the intent of the Legislature that each student's progression from one grade to another be determined, in part, upon proficiency in reading, writing, science, and mathematics; that district school board policies facilitate such proficiency; and that each student and his or her parent be informed of that student's academic progress.

(2)  COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM.--Each district school board shall establish a comprehensive program for student progression which must include:

(a)  Standards for evaluating each student's performance, including how well he or she masters the performance standards approved by the State Board of Education.

(b)  Specific levels of performance in reading, writing, science, and mathematics for each grade level, including the levels of performance on statewide assessments as defined by the commissioner, below which a student must receive remediation, or be retained within an intensive program that is different from the previous year's program and that takes into account the student's learning style.

(c)  Appropriate alternative placement for a student who has been retained 2 or more years.

(3)  ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.--District school boards shall allocate remedial and supplemental instruction resources to students in the following priority:

(a)  Students who are deficient in reading by the end of grade 3.

(b)  Students who fail to meet performance levels required for promotion consistent with the district school board's plan for student progression required in paragraph (2)(b).

(4)  ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION.--

(a)  Each student must participate in the statewide assessment tests required by s. 1008.22. Each student who does not meet specific levels of performance as determined by the district school board in reading, writing, science, and mathematics for each grade level, or who does not meet specific levels of performance as determined by the commissioner on statewide assessments at selected grade levels, must be provided with additional diagnostic assessments to determine the nature of the student's difficulty and areas of academic need.

(b)  The school in which the student is enrolled must develop, in consultation with the student's parent, and must implement an academic improvement plan designed to assist the student in meeting state and district expectations for proficiency. For a student for whom a personalized middle school success plan is required pursuant to s. 1003.415, the middle school success plan must be incorporated in the student's academic improvement plan. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, if the student has been identified as having a deficiency in reading, the academic improvement plan shall identify the student's specific areas of deficiency in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary; the desired levels of performance in these areas; and the instructional and support services to be provided to meet the desired levels of performance. Schools shall also provide for the frequent monitoring of the student's progress in meeting the desired levels of performance. District school boards shall assist schools and teachers to implement research-based reading activities that have been shown to be successful in teaching reading to low-performing students. Remedial instruction provided during high school may not be in lieu of English and mathematics credits required for graduation.

(c)  Upon subsequent evaluation, if the documented deficiency has not been remediated in accordance with the academic improvement plan, the student may be retained. Each student who does not meet the minimum performance expectations defined by the Commissioner of Education for the statewide assessment tests in reading, writing, science, and mathematics must continue to be provided with remedial or supplemental instruction until the expectations are met or the student graduates from high school or is not subject to compulsory school attendance.

(5)  READING DEFICIENCY AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION.--

(a)  It is the ultimate goal of the Legislature that every student read at or above grade level. Any student who exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading, based upon locally determined or statewide assessments conducted in kindergarten or grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3, or through teacher observations, must be given intensive reading instruction immediately following the identification of the reading deficiency. The student's reading proficiency must be reassessed by locally determined assessments or through teacher observations at the beginning of the grade following the intensive reading instruction. The student must continue to be provided with intensive reading instruction until the reading deficiency is remedied.

(b)  Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, if the student's reading deficiency, as identified in paragraph (a), is not remedied by the end of grade 3, as demonstrated by scoring at Level 2 or higher on the statewide assessment test in reading for grade 3, the student must be retained.

(c)  The parent of any student who exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading, as described in paragraph (a), must be notified in writing of the following:

1.  That his or her child has been identified as having a substantial deficiency in reading.

2.  A description of the current services that are provided to the child.

3.  A description of the proposed supplemental instructional services and supports that will be provided to the child that are designed to remediate the identified area of reading deficiency.

4.  That if the child's reading deficiency is not remediated by the end of grade 3, the child must be retained unless he or she is exempt from mandatory retention for good cause.

5.  Strategies for parents to use in helping their child succeed in reading proficiency.

6.  That the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is not the sole determiner of promotion and that additional evaluations, portfolio reviews, and assessments are available to the child to assist parents and the school district in knowing when a child is reading at or above grade level and ready for grade promotion.

7.  The district's specific criteria and policies for midyear promotion. Midyear promotion means promotion of a retained student at any time during the year of retention once the student has demonstrated ability to read at grade level.

(6)  ELIMINATION OF SOCIAL PROMOTION.--

(a)  No student may be assigned to a grade level based solely on age or other factors that constitute social promotion.

(b)  The district school board may only exempt students from mandatory retention, as provided in paragraph (5)(b), for good cause. Good cause exemptions shall be limited to the following:

1.  Limited English proficient students who have had less than 2 years of instruction in an English for Speakers of Other Languages program.

2.  Students with disabilities whose individual education plan indicates that participation in the statewide assessment program is not appropriate, consistent with the requirements of State Board of Education rule.

3.  Students who demonstrate an acceptable level of performance on an alternative standardized reading assessment approved by the State Board of Education.

4.  Students who demonstrate, through a student portfolio, that the student is reading on grade level as evidenced by demonstration of mastery of the Sunshine State Standards in reading equal to at least a Level 2 performance on the FCAT.

5.  Students with disabilities who participate in the FCAT and who have an individual education plan or a Section 504 plan that reflects that the student has received the intensive remediation in reading, as required by paragraph (4)(b), for more than 2 years but still demonstrates a deficiency in reading and was previously retained in kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3.

6.  Students who have received the intensive remediation in reading as required by paragraph (4)(b) for 2 or more years but still demonstrate a deficiency in reading and who were previously retained in kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, or grade 3 for a total of 2 years. Intensive reading instruction for students so promoted must include an altered instructional day based upon an academic improvement plan that includes specialized diagnostic information and specific reading strategies for each student. The district school board shall assist schools and teachers to implement reading strategies that research has shown to be successful in improving reading among low-performing readers.

(c)  Requests for good cause exemptions for students from the mandatory retention requirement as described in subparagraphs (b)3. and 4. shall be made consistent with the following:

1.  Documentation shall be submitted from the student's teacher to the school principal that indicates that the promotion of the student is appropriate and is based upon the student's academic record. In order to minimize paperwork requirements, such documentation shall consist only of the existing academic improvement plan, individual educational plan, if applicable, report card, or student portfolio.

2.  The school principal shall review and discuss such recommendation with the teacher and make the determination as to whether the student should be promoted or retained. If the school principal determines that the student should be promoted, the school principal shall make such recommendation in writing to the district school superintendent. The district school superintendent shall accept or reject the school principal's recommendation in writing.

(7)  SUCCESSFUL PROGRESSION FOR RETAINED READERS.--

(a)  Students retained under the provisions of paragraph (5)(b) must be provided intensive interventions in reading to ameliorate the student's specific reading deficiency, as identified by a valid and reliable diagnostic assessment. This intensive intervention must include effective instructional strategies, participation in the school district's summer reading camp, and appropriate teaching methodologies necessary to assist those students in becoming successful readers, able to read at or above grade level, and ready for promotion to the next grade.

(b)  Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, each school district shall:

1.  Conduct a review of student academic improvement plans for all students who did not score above Level 1 on the reading portion of the FCAT and did not meet the criteria for one of the good cause exemptions in paragraph (6)(b). The review shall address additional supports and services, as described in this subsection, needed to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency. The school district shall require a student portfolio to be completed for each such student.

2.  Provide students who are retained under the provisions of paragraph (5)(b) with intensive instructional services and supports to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency, including a minimum of 90 minutes of daily, uninterrupted, scientifically research-based reading instruction and other strategies prescribed by the school district, which may include, but are not limited to:

a.  Small group instruction.

b.  Reduced teacher-student ratios.

c.  More frequent progress monitoring.

d.  Tutoring or mentoring.

e.  Transition classes containing 3rd and 4th grade students.

f.  Extended school day, week, or year.

g.  Summer reading camps.

3.  Provide written notification to the parent of any student who is retained under the provisions of paragraph (5)(b) that his or her child has not met the proficiency level required for promotion and the reasons the child is not eligible for a good cause exemption as provided in paragraph (6)(b). The notification must comply with the provisions of s. 1002.20(14) and must include a description of proposed interventions and supports that will be provided to the child to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency.

4.  Implement a policy for the midyear promotion of any student retained under the provisions of paragraph (5)(b) who can demonstrate that he or she is a successful and independent reader, reading at or above grade level, and ready to be promoted to grade 4. Tools that school districts may use in reevaluating any student retained may include subsequent assessments, alternative assessments, and portfolio reviews, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education. Students promoted during the school year after November 1 must demonstrate proficiency above that required to score at Level 2 on the grade 3 FCAT, as determined by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall adopt standards that provide a reasonable expectation that the student's progress is sufficient to master appropriate 4th grade level reading skills.

5.  Provide students who are retained under the provisions of paragraph (5)(b) with a high-performing teacher as determined by student performance data and above-satisfactory performance appraisals.

6.  In addition to required reading enhancement and acceleration strategies, provide parents of students to be retained with at least one of the following instructional options:

a.  Supplemental tutoring in scientifically research-based reading services in addition to the regular reading block, including tutoring before and/or after school.

b.  A "Read at Home" plan outlined in a parental contract, including participation in "Families Building Better Readers Workshops" and regular parent-guided home reading.

c.  A mentor or tutor with specialized reading training.

7.  Establish a Reading Enhancement and Acceleration Development (READ) Initiative. The focus of the READ Initiative shall be to prevent the retention of grade 3 students and to offer intensive accelerated reading instruction to grade 3 students who failed to meet standards for promotion to grade 4 and to each K-3 student who is assessed as exhibiting a reading deficiency. The READ Initiative shall:

a.  Be provided to all K-3 students at risk of retention as identified by the statewide assessment system used in Reading First schools. The assessment must measure phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

b.  Be provided during regular school hours in addition to the regular reading instruction.

c.  Provide a state-identified reading curriculum that has been reviewed by the Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University and meets, at a minimum, the following specifications:

(I)  Assists students assessed as exhibiting a reading deficiency in developing the ability to read at grade level.

(II)  Provides skill development in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

(III)  Provides scientifically based and reliable assessment.

(IV)  Provides initial and ongoing analysis of each student's reading progress.

(V)  Is implemented during regular school hours.

(VI)  Provides a curriculum in core academic subjects to assist the student in maintaining or meeting proficiency levels for the appropriate grade in all academic subjects.

8.  Establish at each school, where applicable, an Intensive Acceleration Class for retained grade 3 students who subsequently score at Level 1 on the reading portion of the FCAT. The focus of the Intensive Acceleration Class shall be to increase a child's reading level at least two grade levels in 1 school year. The Intensive Acceleration Class shall:

a.  Be provided to any student in grade 3 who scores at Level 1 on the reading portion of the FCAT and who was retained in grade 3 the prior year because of scoring at Level 1 on the reading portion of the FCAT.

b.  Have a reduced teacher-student ratio.

c.  Provide uninterrupted reading instruction for the majority of student contact time each day and incorporate opportunities to master the grade 4 Sunshine State Standards in other core subject areas.

d.  Use a reading program that is scientifically research-based and has proven results in accelerating student reading achievement within the same school year.

e.  Provide intensive language and vocabulary instruction using a scientifically research-based program, including use of a speech-language therapist.

f.  Include weekly progress monitoring measures to ensure progress is being made.

g.  Report to the Department of Education, in the manner described by the department, the progress of students in the class at the end of the first semester.

9.  Report to the State Board of Education, as requested, on the specific intensive reading interventions and supports implemented at the school district level. The Commissioner of Education shall annually prescribe the required components of requested reports.

10.  Provide a student who has been retained in grade 3 and has received intensive instructional services but is still not ready for grade promotion, as determined by the school district, the option of being placed in a transitional instructional setting. Such setting shall specifically be designed to produce learning gains sufficient to meet grade 4 performance standards while continuing to remediate the areas of reading deficiency.

(8)  ANNUAL REPORT.--

(a)  In addition to the requirements in paragraph (5)(b), each district school board must annually report to the parent of each student the progress of the student toward achieving state and district expectations for proficiency in reading, writing, science, and mathematics. The district school board must report to the parent the student's results on each statewide assessment test. The evaluation of each student's progress must be based upon the student's classroom work, observations, tests, district and state assessments, and other relevant information. Progress reporting must be provided to the parent in writing in a format adopted by the district school board.

(b)  Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, each district school board must annually publish in the local newspaper, and report in writing to the State Board of Education by September 1 of each year, the following information on the prior school year:

1.  The provisions of this section relating to public school student progression and the district school board's policies and procedures on student retention and promotion.

2.  By grade, the number and percentage of all students in grades 3 through 10 performing at Levels 1 and 2 on the reading portion of the FCAT.

3.  By grade, the number and percentage of all students retained in grades 3 through 10.

4.  Information on the total number of students who were promoted for good cause, by each category of good cause as specified in paragraph (6)(b).

5.  Any revisions to the district school board's policy on student retention and promotion from the prior year.

(9)  STATE BOARD AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES.--

(a)  The State Board of Education shall have authority as provided in s. 1008.32 to enforce this section.

(b)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 for the administration of this section.

(10)  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.--The department shall provide technical assistance as needed to aid district school boards in administering this section.

History.--s. 371, ch. 2002-387; s. 8, ch. 2003-118; s. 6, ch. 2004-42; s. 6, ch. 2004-255.

1008.29  College-level communication and mathematics skills examination (CLAST).--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the examination of college-level communication and mathematics skills serve as a mechanism for students to demonstrate that they have mastered the academic competencies prerequisite to upper-division undergraduate instruction. It is further intended that the examination serve as both a summative evaluation instrument prior to student enrollment in upper-division programs and as a source of information for student advisers. It is not intended that student passage of the examination supplant the need for a student to complete the general education curriculum prescribed by an institution.

(2)  Public postsecondary educational institutions shall administer a minimum of two administrations, one of which may consist of an alternative administration, of the college-level communication and computation skills examination per academic term. Such administrations shall be available to all lower-division students seeking associate in arts or baccalaureate degrees upon completion of at least 18 semester hours or the equivalent. Public postsecondary educational institutions shall report at a minimum the examination scores of all students tested at each administration of the college-level communication and computation skills examination.

(3)  No public postsecondary educational institution shall confer an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree upon any student who fails to complete successfully the examination of college-level communication and computation skills. Students who received their associate in arts degree prior to September 1, 1982, shall be exempt from the provisions of this subsection.

(4)  The State Board of Education, by rule, shall set the minimum scores that constitute successful completion of the examination. In establishing the minimum scores that constitute successful completion of the examination, the State Board of Education shall consider any possible negative impact of the tests on minority students. Determinations regarding a student's successful completion of the examination shall be based on the minimum standards prescribed by rule for the date the student initially takes the examination.

(5)  Any student who, in the best professional opinion of the university, has a specific learning disability such that the student can not demonstrate successful completion of one or more sections of the college-level communication and computation skills examination and is achieving at the college level in every area except that of the disability, and whose diagnosis indicates that further remediation will not succeed in overcoming the disability, may appeal through the appropriate dean to a committee appointed by the president or vice president for academic affairs for special consideration. The committee shall examine the evidence of the student's academic and medical records and may hear testimony relevant to the case. The committee may grant a waiver for one or more sections of the college-level communication and computation skills examination based on the results of its review.

(6)  Each public postsecondary educational institution president shall establish a committee to consider requests for waivers from the provisions of subsection (3). The committee shall be chaired by the chief academic officer of the institution and shall have four additional members appointed by the president: a member of the mathematics department, a member of the English department, the institutional test administrator, and a fourth faculty member from a department other than English or mathematics. Any student who has taken a subtest of the examination required by this section at least four times and has not achieved a passing score, but has otherwise demonstrated proficiency in coursework in the same subject area, may request a waiver from that particular subtest. Waivers shall be considered only after students have been provided test accommodations or other administrative adjustments to permit the accurate measurement of the student's proficiency in the subject areas measured by the examination authorized in this section. The committee shall consider the student's educational records and other evidence as to whether the student should be able to pass the subtest under consideration. A waiver may be recommended to the president upon majority vote of the committee. The president may approve or disapprove the recommendation. The president may not approve a request which the committee has disapproved. If a waiver for a given subtest is approved, the student's transcript shall include a statement that the student did not meet the requirements of subsection (3) and that a waiver was granted.

(7)  The State Board of Education, by rule, shall establish fees for the administration of the examination to private postsecondary students.

(8)  The State Board of Education, by rule, shall establish fees for the administration of the examination at times other than regularly scheduled dates to accommodate examinees who are unable to be tested on those dates. The board shall establish the conditions under which examinees may be admitted to the special administrations.

(9)  Any student fulfilling one or both of the following requirements before completion of associate in arts degree requirements or baccalaureate degree requirements is exempt from the testing requirements of this section:

(a)  Achieves a score that meets or exceeds a minimum score on a nationally standardized examination, as established by the State Board of Education; or

(b)  Demonstrates successful remediation of any academic deficiencies identified by the college placement test and achieves a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above, on a 4.0 scale, in postsecondary-level coursework identified by the State Board of Education. The Department of Education shall specify the means by which a student may demonstrate successful remediation.

Any student denied a degree prior to January 1, 1996, based on the failure of at least one subtest of the CLAST may use either of the alternatives specified in this subsection for receipt of a degree if such student meets all degree program requirements at the time of application for the degree under the exemption provisions of this subsection. This section does not require a student to take the CLAST before being given the opportunity to use any of the alternatives specified in this subsection. The exemptions provided herein do not apply to requirements for certification as provided in s. 1012.56.

History.--s. 372, ch. 2002-387; s. 50, ch. 2004-41.

1008.30  Common placement testing for public postsecondary education.--

(1)  The State Board of Education shall develop and implement a common placement test for the purpose of assessing the basic computation and communication skills of students who intend to enter a degree program at any public postsecondary educational institution. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules which enable public postsecondary educational institutions to implement appropriate modifications of the test instruments or test procedures for students with disabilities.

(2)  The common placement testing program shall include at a minimum the following: the capacity to diagnose basic competencies in the areas of English, reading, and mathematics which are essential to perform college-level work; prerequisite skills that relate to progressively advanced instruction in mathematics, such as algebra and geometry; prerequisite skills that relate to progressively advanced instruction in language arts, such as English composition and literature; prerequisite skills which relate to the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST); and provision of test information to students on the specific deficiencies.

(3)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that would require high schools to give the common placement test prescribed in this section, or an equivalent test identified by the State Board of Education, at the beginning of the tenth grade year before enrollment in the eleventh grade year in public high school for the purpose of obtaining remedial instruction prior to entering public postsecondary education.

(4)(a)  Public postsecondary educational institution students who have been identified as requiring additional preparation pursuant to subsection (1) shall enroll in college-preparatory or other adult education pursuant to s. 1004.93 in community colleges to develop needed college-entry skills. These students shall be permitted to take courses within their degree program concurrently in other curriculum areas for which they are qualified while enrolled in college-preparatory instruction courses. A student enrolled in a college-preparatory course may concurrently enroll only in college credit courses that do not require the skills addressed in the college-preparatory course. The State Board of Education shall specify the college credit courses that are acceptable for students enrolled in each college-preparatory skill area, pursuant to s. 1001.02(7)(g). A student who wishes to earn an associate in arts or a baccalaureate degree, but who is required to complete a college-preparatory course, must successfully complete the required college-preparatory studies by the time the student has accumulated 12 hours of lower-division college credit degree coursework; however, a student may continue enrollment in degree-earning coursework provided the student maintains enrollment in college-preparatory coursework for each subsequent semester until college-preparatory coursework requirements are completed, and the student demonstrates satisfactory performance in degree-earning coursework. A passing score on a standardized, institutionally developed test must be achieved before a student is considered to have met basic computation and communication skills requirements; however, no student shall be required to retake any test or subtest that was previously passed by said student. Credit awarded for college-preparatory instruction may not be counted toward fulfilling the number of credits required for a degree.

(b)  The university board of trustees may contract with a community college board of trustees for the community college to provide such instruction on the state university campus. Any state university in which the percentage of incoming students requiring college-preparatory instruction equals or exceeds the average percentage of such students for the community college system may offer college-preparatory instruction without contracting with a community college; however, any state university offering college-preparatory instruction as of January 1, 1996, may continue to provide such services.

(5)  A student may not be enrolled in a college credit mathematics or English course on a dual enrollment basis unless the student has demonstrated adequate precollegiate preparation on the section of the basic computation and communication skills assessment required pursuant to subsection (1) that is appropriate for successful student participation in the course.

History.--s. 373, ch. 2002-387.

1008.301  FCAT equivalency; concordance study.--The State Board of Education shall conduct a concordance study to determine if crosswalk scores can be determined to be equivalent to those required on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) for high school graduation. At a minimum, the state board shall analyze the PSAT, PLAN, SAT, ACT, and the College Placement Test to determine if equivalent scores can be determined. In cases where such equivalencies can be determined, the state board is authorized to adopt those scores as meeting the graduation requirement in lieu of the FCAT passing score. Each time the score is changed, new equivalencies must be determined. This provision shall take effect for students who are eligible to graduate in the 2003-2004 academic year and thereafter.

History.--s. 2, ch. 2003-80.

1008.31  Florida's K-20 education performance accountability system; legislative intent; performance-based funding; mission, goals, and systemwide measures.

1008.32  State Board of Education oversight enforcement authority.

1008.33  Authority to enforce public school improvement.

1008.34  School grading system; district performance grade.

1008.345  Implementation of state system of school improvement and education accountability.

1008.35  Best financial management practices for school districts; standards; reviews; designation of school districts.

1008.36  Florida School Recognition Program.

1008.37  Postsecondary feedback of information to high schools.

1008.38  Articulation accountability process.

1008.385  Educational planning and information systems.

1008.386  Social security numbers used as student identification numbers.

1008.39  Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program.

1008.40  Workforce Development Information System.

1008.405  Adult student information.

1008.41  Workforce education; management information system.

1008.42  Public information on career education programs.

1008.43  Career program reporting requirements.

1008.45  Community college accountability process.

1008.46  State university accountability process.

1008.31  Florida's K-20 education performance accountability system; legislative intent; performance-based funding; mission, goals, and systemwide measures.--

(1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the Legislature that:

(a)  The performance accountability system implemented to assess the effectiveness of Florida's seamless K-20 education delivery system provide answers to the following questions in relation to its mission and goals:

1.  What is the public receiving in return for funds it invests in education?

2.  How effectively is Florida's K-20 education system educating its students?

3.  How effectively are the major delivery sectors promoting student achievement?

4.  How are individual schools and postsecondary education institutions performing their responsibility to educate their students as measured by how students are performing and how much they are learning?

(b)  The K-20 education performance accountability system be established as a single, unified accountability system with multiple components, including, but not limited to, measures of adequate yearly progress, individual student learning gains in public schools, school grades, and return on investment.

(c)  The K-20 education performance accountability system comply with the accountability requirements of the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001," Pub. L. No. 107-110.

(d)  The State Board of Education recommend to the Legislature systemwide performance standards; the Legislature establish systemwide performance measures and standards; and the systemwide measures and standards provide Floridians with information on what the public is receiving in return for the funds it invests in education and how well the K-20 system educates its students.

(e)  The State Board of Education establish performance measures and set performance standards for individual components of the public education system, including individual schools and postsecondary educational institutions, with measures and standards based primarily on student achievement.

(2)  PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING.--

(a)  The State Board of Education shall cooperate with each delivery system to develop proposals for performance-based funding, using performance measures adopted pursuant to this section.

(b)  The State Board of Education proposals must provide that at least 10 percent of the state funds appropriated for the K-20 education system are conditional upon meeting or exceeding established performance standards.

(c)  The State Board of Education shall adopt guidelines required to implement performance-based funding that allow 1 year to demonstrate achievement of specified performance standards prior to a reduction in appropriations pursuant to this section.

(d)  By December 1, 2003, the State Board of Education shall adopt common definitions, measures, standards, and performance improvement targets required to:

1.  Use the state core measures and the sector-specific measures to evaluate the progress of each sector of the educational delivery system toward meeting the systemwide goals for public education.

2.  Notify the sectors of their progress in achieving the specified measures so that they may develop improvement plans that directly influence decisions about policy, program development, and management.

3.  Implement the performance-based budgeting system described in this section.

(e)  During the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the Department of Education shall collect data required to establish progress, rewards, and sanctions.

(f)  By December 1, 2004, the Department of Education shall recommend to the Legislature a formula for performance-based funding that applies accountability standards for the individual components of the public education system at every level, kindergarten through graduate school. Effective for the 2004-2005 fiscal year and thereafter, subject to annual legislative approval in the General Appropriations Act, performance-based funds shall be allocated based on the progress, rewards, and sanctions established pursuant to this section.

(3)  MISSION, GOALS, AND SYSTEMWIDE MEASURES.--

(a)  The mission of Florida's K-20 education system shall be to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities.

(b)  The State Board of Education shall adopt guiding principles for establishing state and sector-specific standards and measures.

(c)  The State Board of Education shall maintain an accountability system that measures student progress toward the following goals:

1.  Highest student achievement, as measured by: student FCAT performance and annual learning gains; the number and percentage of schools that improve at least one school performance grade designation or maintain a school performance grade designation of "A" pursuant to s. 1008.34; graduation or completion rates at all learning levels; and other measures identified in law or rule.

2.  Seamless articulation and maximum access, as measured by: the percentage of students who demonstrate readiness for the educational level they are entering, from kindergarten through postsecondary education and into the workforce; the number and percentage of students needing remediation; the percentage of Floridians who complete associate, baccalaureate, graduate, professional, and postgraduate degrees; the number and percentage of credits that articulate; the extent to which each set of exit-point requirements matches the next set of entrance-point requirements; the degree to which underserved populations access educational opportunity; the extent to which access is provided through innovative educational delivery strategies; and other measures identified in law or rule.

3.  Skilled workforce and economic development, as measured by: the number and percentage of graduates employed in their areas of preparation; the percentage of Floridians with high school diplomas and postsecondary education credentials; the percentage of business and community members who find that Florida's graduates possess the skills they need; national rankings; and other measures identified in law or rule.

4.  Quality efficient services, as measured by: cost per completer or graduate; average cost per noncompleter at each educational level; cost disparity across institutions offering the same degrees; the percentage of education customers at each educational level who are satisfied with the education provided; and other measures identified in law or rule.

(4)  SYSTEMWIDE DATA COLLECTION.--School districts and public postsecondary educational institutions shall maintain information systems that will provide the State Board of Education and the Legislature with information and reports necessary to address the specifications of the accountability system. The State Board of Education shall determine the standards for the required data. The level of comprehensiveness and quality shall be no less than that which was available as of June 30, 2001.

History.--s. 375, ch. 2002-387; s. 1, ch. 2003-80.

1008.32  State Board of Education oversight enforcement authority.--The State Board of Education shall oversee the performance of district school boards and public postsecondary educational institution boards in enforcement of all laws and rules. District school boards and public postsecondary educational institution boards shall be primarily responsible for compliance with law and state board rule.

(1)  In order to ensure compliance with law or state board rule, the State Board of Education shall have the authority to request and receive information, data, and reports from school districts and public postsecondary educational institutions. District school superintendents and public postsecondary educational institution presidents are responsible for the accuracy of the information and data reported to the state board.

(2)  The Commissioner of Education may investigate allegations of noncompliance with law or state board rule and determine probable cause. The commissioner shall report determinations of probable cause to the State Board of Education which shall require the district school board or public postsecondary educational institution board to document compliance with law or state board rule.

(3)  If the district school board or public postsecondary educational institution board cannot satisfactorily document compliance, the State Board of Education may order compliance within a specified timeframe.

(4)  If the State Board of Education determines that a district school board or public postsecondary educational institution board is unwilling or unable to comply with law or state board rule within the specified time, the state board shall have the authority to initiate any of the following actions:

(a)  Report to the Legislature that the school district or public postsecondary educational institution has been unwilling or unable to comply with law or state board rule and recommend action to be taken by the Legislature.

(b)  Reduce the discretionary lottery appropriation until the school district or public postsecondary education institution complies with the law or state board rule.

(c)  Withhold the transfer of state funds, discretionary grant funds, or any other funds specified as eligible for this purpose by the Legislature until the school district or public postsecondary educational institution complies with the law or state board rule.

(d)  Declare the school district or public postsecondary educational institution ineligible for competitive grants.

(e)  Require monthly or periodic reporting on the situation related to noncompliance until it is remedied.

(5)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a private cause of action or create any rights for individuals or entities in addition to those provided elsewhere in law or rule.

History.--s. 376, ch. 2002-387; s. 51, ch. 2004-41.

1008.33  Authority to enforce public school improvement.--It is the intent of the Legislature that all public schools be held accountable for students performing at acceptable levels. A system of school improvement and accountability that assesses student performance by school, identifies schools in which students are not making adequate progress toward state standards, institutes appropriate measures for enforcing improvement, and provides rewards and sanctions based on performance shall be the responsibility of the State Board of Education.

(1)  Pursuant to Art. IX of the State Constitution prescribing the duty of the State Board of Education to supervise Florida's public school system and notwithstanding any other statutory provisions to the contrary, the State Board of Education shall intervene in the operation of a district school system when one or more schools in the school district have failed to make adequate progress for 2 school years in a 4-year period. For purposes of determining when a school is eligible for state board action and opportunity scholarships for its students, the terms "2 years in any 4-year period" and "2 years in a 4-year period" mean that in any year that a school has a grade of "F," the school is eligible for state board action and opportunity scholarships for its students if it also has had a grade of "F" in any of the previous 3 school years. The State Board of Education may determine that the school district or school has not taken steps sufficient for students in the school to be academically well served. Considering recommendations of the Commissioner of Education, the State Board of Education shall recommend action to a district school board intended to improve educational services to students in each school that is designated as performance grade category "F." Recommendations for actions to be taken in the school district shall be made only after thorough consideration of the unique characteristics of a school, which shall include student mobility rates, the number and type of exceptional students enrolled in the school, and the availability of options for improved educational services. The state board shall adopt by rule steps to follow in this process. Such steps shall provide school districts sufficient time to improve student performance in schools and the opportunity to present evidence of assistance and interventions that the district school board has implemented.

(2)  The State Board of Education may recommend one or more of the following actions to district school boards to enable students in schools designated as performance grade category "F" to be academically well served by the public school system:

(a)  Provide additional resources, change certain practices, and provide additional assistance if the state board determines the causes of inadequate progress to be related to school district policy or practice;

(b)  Implement a plan that satisfactorily resolves the education equity problems in the school;

(c)  Contract for the educational services of the school, or reorganize the school at the end of the school year under a new school principal who is authorized to hire new staff and implement a plan that addresses the causes of inadequate progress;

(d)  Allow parents of students in the school to send their children to another district school of their choice; or

(e)  Other action appropriate to improve the school's performance.

(3)  In recommending actions to district school boards, the State Board of Education shall specify the length of time available to implement the recommended action. The State Board of Education may adopt rules to further specify how it may respond in specific circumstances. No action taken by the State Board of Education shall relieve a school from state accountability requirements.

(4)  The State Board of Education may require the Department of Education or Chief Financial Officer to withhold any transfer of state funds to the school district if, within the timeframe specified in state board action, the school district has failed to comply with the action ordered to improve the district's low-performing schools. Withholding the transfer of funds shall occur only after all other recommended actions for school improvement have failed to improve performance. The State Board of Education may impose the same penalty on any district school board that fails to develop and implement a plan for assistance and intervention for low-performing schools as specified in s. 1001.42(16)(c).

History.--s. 377, ch. 2002-387; s. 1954, ch. 2003-261.

1008.34  School grading system; district performance grade.--

(1)  ANNUAL REPORTS.--The Commissioner of Education shall prepare annual reports of the results of the statewide assessment program which describe student achievement in the state, each district, and each school. The commissioner shall prescribe the design and content of these reports, which must include, without limitation, descriptions of the performance of all schools participating in the assessment program and all of their major student populations as determined by the Commissioner of Education, and must also include the median scores of all eligible students who scored at or in the lowest 25th percentile of the state in the previous school year; provided, however, that the provisions of s. 1002.22 pertaining to student records apply to this section.

(2)  SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADE CATEGORIES.--The annual report shall identify schools as being in one of the following grade categories defined according to rules of the State Board of Education:

(a)  "A," schools making excellent progress.

(b)  "B," schools making above average progress.

(c)  "C," schools making satisfactory progress.

(d)  "D," schools making less than satisfactory progress.

(e)  "F," schools failing to make adequate progress.

Each school designated in performance grade category "A," making excellent progress, or having improved at least two performance grade categories, shall have greater authority over the allocation of the school's total budget generated from the FEFP, state categoricals, lottery funds, grants, and local funds, as specified in state board rule. The rule must provide that the increased budget authority shall remain in effect until the school's performance grade declines.

(3)  DESIGNATION OF SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADE CATEGORIES.--School performance grade category designations itemized in subsection (2) shall be based on the following:

(a)  Timeframes.--

1.  School performance grade category designations shall be based on the school's current year performance and the school's annual learning gains.

2.  A school's performance grade category designation shall be based on a combination of student achievement scores, student learning gains as measured by annual FCAT assessments in grades 3 through 10, and improvement of the lowest 25th percentile of students in the school in reading, math, or writing on the FCAT, unless these students are performing above satisfactory performance.

(b)  Student assessment data.--Student assessment data used in determining school performance grade categories shall include:

1.  The aggregate scores of all eligible students enrolled in the school who have been assessed on the FCAT.

2.  The aggregate scores of all eligible students enrolled in the school who have been assessed on the FCAT, including Florida Writes, and who have scored at or in the lowest 25th percentile of students in the school in reading, math, or writing, unless these students are performing above satisfactory performance.

The Department of Education shall study the effects of mobility on the performance of highly mobile students and recommend programs to improve the performance of such students. The State Board of Education shall adopt appropriate criteria for each school performance grade category. The criteria must also give added weight to student achievement in reading. Schools designated as performance grade category "C," making satisfactory progress, shall be required to demonstrate that adequate progress has been made by students in the school who are in the lowest 25th percentile in reading, math, or writing on the FCAT, including Florida Writes, unless these students are performing above satisfactory performance.

(4)  SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT RATINGS.--The annual report shall identify each school's performance as having improved, remained the same, or declined. This school improvement rating shall be based on a comparison of the current year's and previous year's student and school performance data. Schools that improve at least one performance grade category are eligible for school recognition awards pursuant to s. 1008.36.

(5)  SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADE CATEGORY AND IMPROVEMENT RATING REPORTS.--School performance grade category designations and improvement ratings shall apply to each school's performance for the year in which performance is measured. Each school's designation and rating shall be published annually by the Department of Education and the school district. Parents shall be entitled to an easy-to-read report card about the designation and rating of the school in which their child is enrolled.

(6)  RULES.--The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this section.

(7)  PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING.--The Legislature may factor in the performance of schools in calculating any performance-based funding policy that is provided for annually in the General Appropriations Act.

(8)  DISTRICT PERFORMANCE GRADE.--The annual report required by subsection (1) shall include district performance grades, which shall consist of weighted district average grades, by level, for all elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in the district. A district's weighted average grade shall be calculated by weighting individual school grades determined pursuant to subsection (2) by school enrollment.

History.--s. 378, ch. 2002-387.

1008.345  Implementation of state system of school improvement and education accountability.--

(1)  The Commissioner of Education is responsible for implementing and maintaining a system of intensive school improvement and stringent education accountability, which shall include policies and programs to implement the following:

(a)  A system of data collection and analysis that will improve information about the educational success of individual students and schools, including schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs. The information and analyses must be capable of identifying educational programs or activities in need of improvement, and reports prepared pursuant to this paragraph shall be distributed to the appropriate district school boards prior to distribution to the general public. This provision shall not preclude access to public records as provided in chapter 119.

(b)  A program of school improvement that will analyze information to identify schools, including schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, educational programs, or educational activities in need of improvement.

(c)  A method of delivering services to assist school districts and schools to improve, including schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs.

(d)  A method of coordinating with the state educational goals and school improvement plans any other state program that creates incentives for school improvement.

(2)  The commissioner shall be held responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the system of school improvement and education accountability outlined in this section. There shall be an annual determination of whether adequate progress is being made toward implementing and maintaining a system of school improvement and education accountability.

(3)  The annual feedback report shall be developed by the Department of Education.

(4)  The commissioner shall review each district school board's feedback report and submit findings to the State Board of Education. If adequate progress is not being made toward implementing and maintaining a system of school improvement and education accountability, the State Board of Education shall direct the commissioner to prepare and implement a corrective action plan. The commissioner and State Board of Education shall monitor the development and implementation of the corrective action plan.

(5)  The commissioner shall report to the Legislature and recommend changes in state policy necessary to foster school improvement and education accountability. Included in the report shall be a list of the schools, including schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, for which district school boards have developed assistance and intervention plans and an analysis of the various strategies used by the school boards. School reports shall be distributed pursuant to this subsection and s. 1001.42(16)(e) and according to rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

(6)(a)  The Department of Education shall implement a training program to develop among state and district educators a cadre of facilitators of school improvement. These facilitators shall assist schools and districts to conduct needs assessments and develop and implement school improvement plans to meet state goals.

(b)  Upon request, the department shall provide technical assistance and training to any school, including any school operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, school advisory council, district, or district school board for conducting needs assessments, developing and implementing school improvement plans, developing and implementing assistance and intervention plans, or implementing other components of school improvement and accountability. Priority for these services shall be given to schools designated as performance grade category "D" or "F" and school districts in rural and sparsely populated areas of the state.

(c)  Pursuant to s. 24.121(5)(d), the department shall not release funds from the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund to any district in which a school, including schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, does not have an approved school improvement plan, pursuant to s. 1001.42(16), after 1 full school year of planning and development, or does not comply with school advisory council membership composition requirements pursuant to s. 1001.452. The department shall send a technical assistance team to each school without an approved plan to develop such school improvement plan or to each school without appropriate school advisory council membership composition to develop a strategy for corrective action. The department shall release the funds upon approval of the plan or upon establishment of a plan of corrective action. Notice shall be given to the public of the department's intervention and shall identify each school without a plan or without appropriate school advisory council membership composition.

(d)  The department shall assign a community assessment team to each school district with a school designated as performance grade category "D" or "F" to review the school performance data and determine causes for the low performance. The team shall make recommendations to the school board, to the department, and to the State Board of Education for implementing an assistance and intervention plan that will address the causes of the school's low performance. The assessment team shall include, but not be limited to, a department representative, parents, business representatives, educators, and community activists, and shall represent the demographics of the community from which they are appointed.

(7)(a)  Schools designated in performance grade category "A," making excellent progress, shall, if requested by the school, be given deregulated status as specified in s. 1003.63(5), (7), (8), (9), and (10).

(b)  Schools that have improved at least two performance grade categories and that meet the criteria of the Florida School Recognition Program pursuant to s. 1008.36 may be given deregulated status as specified in s. 1003.63(5), (7), (8), (9), and (10).

(8)  As a part of the system of educational accountability, the Department of Education shall:

(a)  Develop minimum performance standards for various grades and subject areas, as required in ss. 1001.03, 1008.22, and 1008.34.

(b)  Administer the statewide assessment testing program created by s. 1008.22.

(c)  Review the school advisory councils of each district as required by s. 1001.452.

(d)  Conduct the program evaluations required by s. 1001.03.

(e)  Maintain a listing of college-level communication and mathematics skills defined by the State Board of Education as being associated with successful student performance through the baccalaureate level and submit the same to the State Board of Education for approval.

(f)  Maintain a listing of tests and other assessment procedures which measure and diagnose student achievement of college-level communication and computation skills and submit the same to the State Board of Education for approval.

(g)  Maintain for the information of the State Board of Education and the Legislature a file of data to reflect achievement of college-level communication and mathematics competencies by students in state universities and community colleges.

(h)  Develop or contract for, and submit to the State Board of Education for approval, tests which measure and diagnose student achievement of college-level communication and mathematics skills. Any tests and related documents developed are exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). The commissioner shall maintain statewide responsibility for the administration of such tests and may assign administrative responsibilities for the tests to any state university or community college. The state board, upon recommendation of the commissioner, may enter into contracts for such services beginning in one fiscal year and continuing into the next year which are paid from the appropriation for either or both fiscal years.

(i)  Perform any other functions that may be involved in educational planning, research, and evaluation or that may be required by the commissioner, the State Board of Education, or law.

History.--s. 379, ch. 2002-387.

1008.35  Best financial management practices for school districts; standards; reviews; designation of school districts.--

(1)  The purpose of best financial management practices reviews is to improve Florida school district management and use of resources and to identify cost savings. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) and the Office of the Auditor General are directed to develop a system for reviewing the financial management practices of school districts. In this system, the Auditor General shall assist OPPAGA in examining district operations to determine whether they meet "best financial management practices."

(2)  The best financial management practices adopted by the Commissioner of Education may be updated periodically after consultation with the Legislature, the Governor, the Department of Education, school districts, and the Auditor General. OPPAGA shall submit to the Commissioner of Education for review and adoption proposed revisions to the best financial management practices adopted by the commissioner. The best financial management practices, at a minimum, must instill public confidence by addressing the school district's use of resources, identifying ways that the district could save funds, and improving districts' performance accountability systems, including public accountability. To achieve these objectives, best practices shall be developed for, but need not be limited to, the following areas:

(a)  Management structures.

(b)  Performance accountability.

(c)  Efficient delivery of educational services, including instructional materials.

(d)  Administrative and instructional technology.

(e)  Personnel systems and benefits management.

(f)  Facilities construction.

(g)  Facilities maintenance.

(h)  Student transportation.

(i)  Food service operations.

(j)  Cost control systems, including asset management, risk management, financial management, purchasing, internal auditing, and financial auditing.

In areas for which the commissioner has not adopted best practices, OPPAGA may develop additional best financial management practices, with input from a broad range of stakeholders. OPPAGA shall present any additional best practices to the commissioner for review and adoption. Revised best financial management practices adopted by the commissioner must be used in the next year's scheduled school district reviews conducted according to this section.

(3)  OPPAGA shall contract with a private firm selected through a formal request for proposal process to perform the review, to the extent that funds are provided for this purpose in the General Appropriations Act each year. When sufficient funds are not provided to contract for all the scheduled best financial management practices reviews, OPPAGA shall conduct the remaining reviews scheduled for that year, except as otherwise provided in this act. At least one member of the private firm review team shall have expertise in school district finance. The scope of the review shall focus on the best practices adopted by the Commissioner of Education, pursuant to subsection (2). OPPAGA may include additional items in the scope of the review after seeking input from the school district and the Department of Education.

(4)  OPPAGA shall consult with the Commissioner of Education throughout the best practices review process to ensure that the technical expertise of the Department of Education benefits the review process and supports the school districts before, during, and after the review.

(5)  It is the intent of the Legislature that each school district shall be subject to a best financial management practices review. The Legislature also intends that all school districts shall be reviewed on a continuing 5-year cycle, as follows, unless specified otherwise in the General Appropriations Act, or as provided in this section:

(a)  Year 1: Hillsborough, Sarasota, Collier, Okaloosa, Alachua, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Hernando, Indian River, Monroe, Osceola, and Bradford.

(b)  Year 2: Miami-Dade, Duval, Volusia, Bay, Columbia, Suwannee, Wakulla, Baker, Union, Hamilton, Jefferson, Gadsden, and Franklin.

(c)  Year 3: Palm Beach, Orange, Seminole, Lee, Escambia, Leon, Levy, Taylor, Madison, Gilchrist, Gulf, Dixie, Liberty, and Lafayette.

(d)  Year 4: Pinellas, Pasco, Marion, Manatee, Clay, Charlotte, Citrus, Highlands, Nassau, Hendry, Okeechobee, Hardee, DeSoto, and Glades.

(e)  Year 5: Broward, Polk, Brevard, Lake, St. Johns, Martin, Putnam, Jackson, Flagler, Walton, Sumter, Holmes, Washington, and Calhoun.

(6)(a)  The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee may adjust the schedule of districts to be reviewed when unforeseen circumstances prevent initiation of reviews scheduled in a given year.

(b)  Once the 5-year cycle has been completed, reviews shall continue, beginning again with those districts included in year one of the cycle unless a district has requested and received a waiver as provided in subsection (17).

(7)  At the direction of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee or the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and subject to funding by the Legislature, OPPAGA may conduct, or contract with a private firm to conduct, up to two additional best financial management practices reviews in districts not scheduled for review during that year if such review is necessary to address adverse financial conditions.

(8)  Reviews shall be conducted by OPPAGA and the consultant to the extent specifically funded by the Legislature in the General Appropriations Act for this purpose. Such funds may be used for the cost of reviews by OPPAGA and private consultants contracted by the director of OPPAGA. Costs may include professional services, travel expenses of OPPAGA and staff of the Auditor General, and any other necessary expenses incurred as part of a best financial management practices review.

(9)  Districts scheduled for review must complete a self-assessment instrument provided by OPPAGA which indicates the school district's evaluation of its performance on each best practice. The district must begin the self-assessment not later than 60 days prior to the commencement of the review. The completed self-assessment instrument and supporting documentation must be submitted to OPPAGA not later than the date of commencement of the review as notified by OPPAGA. The best practice review team will use this self-assessment information during their review of the district.

(10)  During the review, OPPAGA and the consultant conducting the review, if any, shall hold at least one advertised public forum as part of the review in order to explain the best financial management practices review process and obtain input from students, parents, the business community, and other district residents regarding their concerns about the operations and management of the school district.

(11)  District reviews conducted under this section must be completed within 6 months after commencement. OPPAGA shall issue a final report to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the district regarding the district's use of best financial management practices and cost savings recommendations within 60 days after completing the reviews. Copies of the final report shall be provided to the Governor, the Commissioner of Education, and to the chairs of school advisory councils and district advisory councils established pursuant to s. 1001.452(1)(a) and (b). The district school board shall notify all members of the school advisory councils and district advisory council by mail that the final report has been delivered to the school district and to the council chairs. The notification shall also inform members of the OPPAGA website address at which an electronic copy of the report is available.

(12)  After receipt of the final report and before the district school board votes whether to adopt the action plan, or if no action plan was required because the district was found to be using the best practices, the district school board shall hold an advertised public forum to accept public input and review the findings and recommendations of the report. The district school board shall advertise and promote this forum in a manner appropriate to inform school and district advisory councils, parents, school district employees, the business community, and other district residents of the opportunity to attend this meeting. OPPAGA and the consultant, if any, shall also be represented at this forum.

(13)(a)  If the district is found not to conform to best financial management practices, the report must contain an action plan detailing how the district could meet the best practices within 2 years. The district school board must decide, by a majority plus one vote within 90 days after receipt of the final report, whether or not to implement the action plan and pursue a "Seal of Best Financial Management" awarded by the State Board of Education to qualified school districts. If a district fails to vote on the action plan within 90 days, district school board members may be required to appear and present testimony before a legislative committee, pursuant to s. 11.143.

(b)  The district school board may vote to reverse a decision not to implement an action plan, provided that the action plan is implemented and there is still sufficient time, as determined by the district school board, to meet the best practices within 2 years after issuance of the final report.

(c)  Within 90 days after the receipt of the final report, the district school board must notify OPPAGA and the Commissioner of Education in writing of the date and outcome of the district school board vote on whether to adopt the action plan. If the district school board fails to vote on whether to adopt the action plan, the district school superintendent must notify OPPAGA and the Commissioner of Education. The Department of Education may contact the school district, assess the situation, urge the district school board to vote, and offer technical assistance, if needed.

(14)  If a district school board votes to implement the action plan:

(a)  No later than 1 year after receipt of the final report, the district school board must submit an initial status report to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor, OPPAGA, the Auditor General, the State Board of Education, and the Commissioner of Education on progress made toward implementing the action plan and whether changes have occurred in other areas of operation that would affect compliance with the best practices.

(b)  A second status report must be submitted by the school district to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor, OPPAGA, the Auditor General, the Commissioner of Education, and the State Board of Education no later than 1 year after submission of the initial report.

Status reports are not required once OPPAGA concludes that the district is using best practices.

(15)  After receipt of each of a district's two status reports required by subsection (14), OPPAGA shall assess the district's implementation of the action plan and progress toward implementing the best financial management practices in areas covered by the plan. Following each assessment, OPPAGA shall issue a report to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the district indicating whether the district has successfully implemented the best financial management practices. Copies of the report must be provided to the Governor, the Auditor General, the Commissioner of Education, and the State Board of Education. If a district has failed to implement an action plan adopted pursuant to subsection (13), district school board members and the district school superintendent may be required to appear before a legislative committee, pursuant to s. 11.143, to present testimony regarding the district's failure to implement such action plan.

(16)  District school boards that successfully implement the best financial management practices within 2 years, or are determined in the review to be using the best practices, are eligible to receive a "Seal of Best Financial Management." Upon notification to the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education by OPPAGA that a district has been found to be using the best financial management practices, the State Board of Education shall award that district a "Seal of Best Financial Management" certifying that the district is adhering to the state's best financial management practices. The State Board of Education designation shall be effective for 5 years from the certification date or until the next review is completed, whichever is later. During the designation period, the district school board shall annually, not later than the anniversary date of the certification, notify OPPAGA, the Auditor General, the Commissioner of Education, and the State Board of Education of any changes in policies or operations or any other situations that would not conform to the state's best financial management practices. The State Board of Education may revoke the designation of a district school board at any time if it determines that a district is no longer complying with the state's best financial management practices. If no such changes have occurred and the district school board determines that the school district continues to conform to the best financial management practices, the district school board shall annually report that information to the State Board of Education, with copies to OPPAGA, the Auditor General, and the Commissioner of Education.

(17)(a)  A district school board that has been awarded a "Seal of Best Financial Management" by the State Board of Education and has annually reported to the State Board of Education that the district is still conforming to the best financial management practices may request a waiver from undergoing its next scheduled Best Financial Management Practices review.

(b)  To apply for such waiver, not later than September 1 of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the district is next scheduled for review, the district school board shall certify to OPPAGA and the Department of Education the district school board's determination that the school district is still conforming to the best financial management practices.

(c)  After consultation with the Department of Education and review of the district school board's determination, OPPAGA may recommend to the Legislative Budget Commission that the district be granted a waiver for the next scheduled Best Financial Management Practices review. If approved for waiver, OPPAGA shall notify the school district and the Department of Education that no review of that district will be conducted during the next scheduled review cycle. In that event, the district school board must continue annual reporting to the State Board of Education as required in subsection (16). District school boards granted a waiver for one review cycle are not eligible for waiver of the next scheduled review cycle.

(18)  District school boards that receive a best financial management practices review must maintain records that will enable independent verification of the implementation of the action plan and any related fiscal impacts.

(19)  Unrestricted cost savings resulting from implementation of the best financial management practices must be spent at the school and classroom levels for teacher salaries, teacher training, improved classroom facilities, student supplies, textbooks, classroom technology, and other direct student instruction activities. Cost savings identified for a program that has restrictive expenditure requirements shall be used for the enhancement of the specific program.

History.--s. 380, ch. 2002-387; s. 119, ch. 2003-1.

1008.36  Florida School Recognition Program.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that there is a need for a performance incentive program for outstanding faculty and staff in highly productive schools. The Legislature further finds that performance-based incentives are commonplace in the private sector and should be infused into the public sector as a reward for productivity.

(2)  The Florida School Recognition Program is created to provide financial awards to public schools that:

(a)  Sustain high performance by receiving a school grade of "A," making excellent progress; or

(b)  Demonstrate exemplary improvement due to innovation and effort by improving a letter grade.

(3)  All public schools, including charter schools, that receive a school grade pursuant to s. 1008.34 are eligible to participate in the program.

(4)  All selected schools shall receive financial awards depending on the availability of funds appropriated and the number and size of schools selected to receive an award. Funds must be distributed to the school's fiscal agent and placed in the school's account and must be used for purposes listed in subsection (5) as determined jointly by the school's staff and school advisory council. If school staff and the school advisory council cannot reach agreement by November 1, the awards must be equally distributed to all classroom teachers currently teaching in the school.

(5)  School recognition awards must be used for the following:

(a)  Nonrecurring bonuses to the faculty and staff;

(b)  Nonrecurring expenditures for educational equipment or materials to assist in maintaining and improving student performance; or

(c)  Temporary personnel for the school to assist in maintaining and improving student performance.

Notwithstanding statutory provisions to the contrary, incentive awards are not subject to collective bargaining.

History.--s. 381, ch. 2002-387.

1008.37  Postsecondary feedback of information to high schools.--

(1)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that require the Commissioner of Education to report to the State Board of Education, the Legislature, and the district school boards on the performance of each first-time-in-postsecondary education student from each public high school in this state who is enrolled in a public postsecondary institution or public career center. Such reports must be based on information databases maintained by the Department of Education. In addition, the public postsecondary educational institutions and career centers shall provide district school boards access to information on student performance in regular and preparatory courses and shall indicate students referred for remediation pursuant to s. 1004.91 or s. 1008.30.

(2)  The Commissioner of Education shall report, by high school, to the State Board of Education and the Legislature, no later than November 30 of each year, on the number of prior year Florida high school graduates who enrolled for the first time in public postsecondary education in this state during the previous summer, fall, or spring term, indicating the number of students whose scores on the common placement test indicated the need for remediation through college-preparatory or vocational-preparatory instruction pursuant to s. 1004.91 or s. 1008.30.

(3)  The Commissioner of Education shall organize school summary reports and student-level records by school district and high school in which the postsecondary education students were enrolled and report the information to each school district no later than January 31 of each year.

(4)  As a part of the school improvement plan pursuant to s. 1008.345, the State Board of Education shall ensure that each school district and high school develops strategies to improve student readiness for the public postsecondary level based on annual analysis of the feedback report data.

(5)  The Commissioner of Education shall annually recommend to the Legislature statutory changes to reduce the incidence of postsecondary remediation in mathematics, reading, and writing for first-time-enrolled recent high school graduates.

History.--s. 382, ch. 2002-387; s. 52, ch. 2004-41; s. 110, ch. 2004-357.

1008.38  Articulation accountability process.--The State Board of Education shall develop articulation accountability measures which assess the status of systemwide articulation processes authorized under s. 1007.23. The State Board of Education shall establish an articulation accountability process which at a minimum shall address:

(1)  The impact of articulation processes on ensuring educational continuity and the orderly and unobstructed transition of students between public secondary and postsecondary education systems and facilitating the transition of students between the public and private sectors.

(2)  The adequacy of preparation of public secondary students to smoothly articulate to a public postsecondary institution.

(3)  The effectiveness of articulated acceleration mechanisms available to secondary students.

(4)  The smooth transfer of community college associate in arts degree graduates to a state university.

(5)  An examination of degree requirements that exceed the parameters of 60 credit hours for an associate degree and 120 hours for a baccalaureate degree in public postsecondary programs.

(6)  The relationship between the College Level Academic Skills Test Program and articulation to the upper division in public postsecondary institutions.

History.--s. 383, ch. 2002-387.

1008.385  Educational planning and information systems.--

(1)  EDUCATIONAL PLANNING.--

(a)  The Commissioner of Education is responsible for all planning functions for the department, including collection, analysis, and interpretation of all data, information, test results, evaluations, and other indicators that are used to formulate policy, identify areas of concern and need, and serve as the basis for short-range and long-range planning. Such planning shall include assembling data, conducting appropriate studies and surveys, and sponsoring research and development activities designed to provide information about educational needs and the effect of alternative educational practices.

(b)  Each district school board shall maintain a continuing system of planning and budgeting designed to aid in identifying and meeting the educational needs of students and the public. Provision shall be made for coordination between district school boards and community college boards of trustees concerning the planning for career education and adult educational programs. The major emphasis of the system shall be upon locally determined goals and objectives, the state plan for education, and the Sunshine State Standards developed by the Department of Education and adopted by the State Board of Education. The district planning and budgeting system must include consideration of student achievement data obtained pursuant to ss. 1008.22 and 1008.34. The system shall be structured to meet the specific management needs of the district and to align the budget adopted by the district school board with the plan the board has also adopted. Each district school board shall utilize its system of planning and budgeting to emphasize a system of school-based management in which individual school centers become the principal planning units and to integrate planning and budgeting at the school level.

(2)  COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS.--The Commissioner of Education shall develop and implement an integrated information system for educational management. The system must be designed to collect, via electronic transfer, all student and school performance data required to ascertain the degree to which schools and school districts are meeting state performance standards, and must be capable of producing data for a comprehensive annual report on school and district performance. In addition, the system shall support, as feasible, the management decisions to be made in each division of the department and at the individual school and district levels. Similar data elements among divisions and levels shall be compatible. The system shall be based on an overall conceptual design; the information needed for such decisions, including fiscal, student, program, personnel, facility, community, evaluation, and other relevant data; and the relationship between cost and effectiveness. The system shall be managed and administered by the commissioner and shall include a district subsystem component to be administered at the district level, with input from the reports-and-forms control management committees. Each district school system with a unique management information system shall assure that compatibility exists between its unique system and the district component of the state system so that all data required as input to the state system is made available via electronic transfer and in the appropriate input format.

(a)  The specific responsibilities of the commissioner shall include:

1.  Consulting with school district representatives in the development of the system design model and implementation plans for the management information system for public school education management;

2.  Providing operational definitions for the proposed system;

3.  Determining the information and specific data elements required for the management decisions made at each educational level, recognizing that the primary unit for information input is the individual school and recognizing that time and effort of instructional personnel expended in collection and compilation of data should be minimized;

4.  Developing standardized terminology and procedures to be followed at all levels of the system;

5.  Developing a standard transmittal format to be used for collection of data from the various levels of the system;

6.  Developing appropriate computer programs to assure integration of the various information components dealing with students, personnel, facilities, fiscal, program, community, and evaluation data;

7.  Developing the necessary programs to provide statistical analysis of the integrated data provided in subparagraph 6. in such a way that required reports may be disseminated, comparisons may be made, and relationships may be determined in order to provide the necessary information for making management decisions at all levels;

8.  Developing output report formats which will provide district school systems with information for making management decisions at the various educational levels;

9.  Developing a phased plan for distributing computer services equitably among all public schools and school districts in the state as rapidly as possible. The plan shall describe alternatives available to the state in providing such computing services and shall contain estimates of the cost of each alternative, together with a recommendation for action. In developing the plan, the feasibility of shared use of computing hardware and software by school districts, community colleges, and universities shall be examined. Laws or administrative rules regulating procurement of data processing equipment, communication services, or data processing services by state agencies shall not be construed to apply to local agencies which share computing facilities with state agencies;

10.  Assisting the district school systems in establishing their subsystem components and assuring compatibility with current district systems;

11.  Establishing procedures for continuous evaluation of system efficiency and effectiveness;

12.  Initiating a reports-management and forms-management system to ascertain that duplication in collection of data does not exist and that forms and reports for reporting under state and federal requirements and other forms and reports are prepared in a logical and uncomplicated format, resulting in a reduction in the number and complexity of required reports, particularly at the school level; and

13.  Initiating such other actions as are necessary to carry out the intent of the Legislature that a management information system for public school management needs be implemented. Such other actions shall be based on criteria including, but not limited to:

a.  The purpose of the reporting requirement;

b.  The origination of the reporting requirement;

c.  The date of origin of the reporting requirement; and

d.  The date of repeal of the reporting requirement.

(b)  The specific responsibilities of each district school system shall include:

1.  Establishing, at the district level, a reports-control and forms-control management system committee composed of school administrators and classroom teachers. The district school board shall appoint school administrator members and classroom teacher members or, in school districts where appropriate, the classroom teacher members shall be appointed by the bargaining agent. Teachers shall constitute a majority of the committee membership. The committee shall periodically recommend procedures to the district school board for eliminating, reducing, revising, and consolidating paperwork and data collection requirements and shall submit to the district school board an annual report of its findings.

2.  With assistance from the commissioner, developing systems compatibility between the state management information system and unique local systems.

3.  Providing, with the assistance of the department, inservice training dealing with management information system purposes and scope, a method of transmitting input data, and the use of output report information.

4.  Establishing a plan for continuous review and evaluation of local management information system needs and procedures.

5.  Advising the commissioner of all district management information needs.

6.  Transmitting required data input elements to the appropriate processing locations in accordance with guidelines established by the commissioner.

7.  Determining required reports, comparisons, and relationships to be provided to district school systems by the system output reports, continuously reviewing these reports for usefulness and meaningfulness, and submitting recommended additions, deletions, and change requirements in accordance with the guidelines established by the commissioner.

8.  Being responsible for the accuracy of all data elements transmitted to the department.

(c)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the expertise in the state system of public education, as well as contracted services, be utilized to hasten the plan for full implementation of a comprehensive management information system.

(3)  RULES.--The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to administer this section.

History.--s. 384, ch. 2002-387; s. 111, ch. 2004-357.

1008.386  Social security numbers used as student identification numbers.--Each district school board shall request that each student enrolled in a public school in this state provide his or her social security number. Each school district shall use social security numbers as student identification numbers in the management information system maintained by the school district. However, a student is not required to provide his or her social security number as a condition for enrollment or graduation. A student satisfies this requirement by presenting to school enrollment officials his or her social security card or a copy of the card. The school district shall include the social security number in the student's permanent records and shall indicate if the student identification number is not a social security number. The Commissioner of Education shall provide assistance to school districts to assure that the assignment of student identification numbers other than social security numbers is kept to a minimum and to avoid duplication of any student identification number.

History.--s. 385, ch. 2002-387.

1008.39  Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program.--

(1)  The Department of Education shall develop and maintain a continuing program of information management named the "Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program," the purpose of which is to compile, maintain, and disseminate information concerning the educational histories, placement and employment, enlistments in the United States armed services, and other measures of success of former participants in state educational and workforce development programs. Placement and employment information shall contain data appropriate to calculate job retention and job retention rates.

(2)  Any project conducted by the Department of Education or the workforce development system that requires placement information shall use information provided through the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program, and shall not initiate automated matching of records in duplication of methods already in place in the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program. The department shall implement an automated system which matches the social security numbers of former participants in state educational and training programs with information in the files of state and federal agencies that maintain educational, employment, and United States armed service records and shall implement procedures to identify the occupations of those former participants whose social security numbers are found in employment records, as required by Specific Appropriation 337A, chapter 84-220, Laws of Florida; Specific Appropriation 337B, chapter 85-119, Laws of Florida; Specific Appropriation 350A, chapter 86-167, Laws of Florida; and Specific Appropriation 351, chapter 87-98, Laws of Florida.

(3)  The Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program must not make public any information that could identify an individual or the individual's employer. The Department of Education must ensure that the purpose of obtaining placement information is to evaluate and improve public programs or to conduct research for the purpose of improving services to the individuals whose social security numbers are used to identify their placement. If an agreement assures that this purpose will be served and that privacy will be protected, the Department of Education shall have access to the unemployment insurance wage reports maintained by the Agency for Workforce Innovation, the files of the Department of Children and Family Services that contain information about the distribution of public assistance, the files of the Department of Corrections that contain records of incarcerations, and the files of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation that contain the results of licensure examination.

(4)  The Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program may perform longitudinal analyses for all levels of education and workforce development. These analyses must include employment stability, annual earnings, and relatedness of employment to education.

History.--s. 386, ch. 2002-387.

1008.40  Workforce Development Information System.--The Department of Education shall:

(1)  Design specifications for the collection and reporting of data and performance specifications for the Workforce Development Information System. This design must enable parallel reporting and state-level access of workforce data necessary to use the data reports as a basis for calculating funding allocations. In addition, the design must be capable of providing reports necessary to comply with other program performance documentation required by state or federal law, without requiring additional data collection or reporting from local educational agencies.

(2)  Develop the computer programs, software, and edit processes necessary for local and state users to produce a single, unified Workforce Development Information System.

History.--s. 387, ch. 2002-387.

1008.405  Adult student information.--Each school district and community college shall maintain sufficient information for each student enrolled in workforce education to allow local and state administrators to locate such student upon the termination of instruction and to determine the appropriateness of student placement in specific instructional programs. The State Board of Education shall adopt, by rule, specific information that must be maintained and acceptable means of maintaining that information.

History.--s. 388, ch. 2002-387; s. 112, ch. 2004-357.

1008.41  Workforce education; management information system.--

(1)  The Commissioner of Education shall coordinate uniform program structures, common definitions, and uniform management information systems for workforce education for all divisions within the department. In performing these functions, the commissioner shall designate deadlines after which data elements may not be changed for the coming fiscal or school year. School districts and community colleges shall be notified of data element changes at least 90 days prior to the start of the subsequent fiscal or school year. Such systems must provide for:

(a)  Individual student reporting.

(b)  Compliance with state and federal confidentiality requirements, except that the department shall have access to the unemployment insurance wage reports to collect and report placement information about former students. Such placement reports must not disclose the individual identities of former students.

(c)  Maximum use of automated technology and records in existing databases and data systems. To the extent feasible, the Florida Information Resource Network shall be employed for this purpose.

(d)  Annual reports of student enrollment, completion, and placement by program.

(2)  The State Board of Education shall identify, by rule, the components to be included in the workforce education management information system. All such components shall be comparable between school districts and community colleges.

(3)  Planning and evaluation of job-preparatory programs shall be based on standard sources of data and use standard occupational definitions and coding structures, including, but not limited to:

(a)  The Florida Occupational Information System;

(b)  The Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program;

(c)  The Agency for Workforce Innovation;

(d)  The United States Department of Labor; and

(e)  Other sources of data developed using statistically valid procedures.

History.--s. 389, ch. 2002-387; s. 113, ch. 2004-357.

1008.42  Public information on career education programs.--

(1)  The Department of Education shall disseminate information derived from the reports required by s. 1008.43. The department shall ensure that the information disseminated does not name or otherwise identify a student, a former student, or the student's employer.

(2)  The dissemination shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedures:

(a)  Annually, the Department of Education shall publish the placement rates and average quarterly earnings for students who complete each type of career certificate program and career degree program. This information must be aggregated to the state level and must be included in any accountability reports. A program that was created or modified so that placement rates cannot be calculated must be so identified in such reports.

(b)1.  Each district school board shall publish, at a minimum, the most recently available placement rate for each career certificate program conducted by that school district at the secondary school level and at the career degree level. The placement rates for the preceding 3 years shall be published if available, shall be included in each publication that informs the public of the availability of the program, and shall be made available to each school guidance counselor. If a program does not have a placement rate, a publication that lists or describes that program must state that the rate is unavailable.

2.  Each community college shall publish, at a minimum, the most recent placement rate for each career certificate program and for each career degree program in its annual catalog. The placement rates for the preceding 3 years shall be published, if available, and shall be included in any publication that informs the public of the availability of the program. If a program does not have a placement rate, the publication that lists or describes that program must state that the rate is unavailable.

3.  If a school district or a community college has calculated for a program a placement rate that differs from the rate reported by the department, and if each record of a placement was obtained through a process that was capable of being audited, procedurally sound, and consistent statewide, the district or the community college may use the locally calculated placement rate in the report required by this section. However, that rate may not be combined with the rate maintained in the computer files of the Department of Education's Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program.

4.  An independent career, trade, or business school may not publish a placement rate unless the placement rate was determined as provided by this section.

History.--s. 390, ch. 2002-387; s. 114, ch. 2004-357.

1008.43  Career program reporting requirements.--

(1)(a)  The Department of Education shall develop a system of performance measures in order to evaluate the career education programs as required in s. 1008.42. This system must measure program enrollment, completion rates, placement rates, and amount of earnings at the time of placement. Placement and employment information, where applicable, shall contain data relevant to job retention, including retention rates. The State Board of Education shall adopt by rule the specific measures and any definitions needed to establish the system of performance measures.

(b)  To measure and report program enrollment and completion rates, the Department of Education shall use data in the automated student databases generated by the public schools and community colleges. To measure and report placement rates and amount of earnings at the time of placement, the department shall use data in the reports produced by the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program as required in s. 1008.39. If any placement information is not available from the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program, the school district or the community college may provide placement information collected by the school district or the community college. However, this supplemental information must be verifiable by the department and must not be commingled with the database maintained by the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program. The State Board of Education shall specify by rule the statistically valid, verifiable, uniform procedures by which school districts and community colleges may collect and report placement information to supplement the reports from the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program.

(c)  The State Board of Education shall adopt standards for the department, district school boards, and community college district boards of trustees to use in program planning, program review, and program evaluation. The standards must include, at a minimum, the completion rates, placement rates, and earnings from employment of former students of career education programs.

(2)  The State Board of Education shall adopt procedures for reviewing the career education programs administered by the district school boards and the community college district boards of trustees when program performance falls below the standards required by this section.

(3)  Annually, the department shall compile the reports submitted in compliance with the rules adopted under this section and shall produce a statewide report that addresses the extent to which school districts and community colleges are meeting the standards established under paragraph (1)(c).

(4)  The State Board of Education may adopt rules necessary to administer this section.

History.--s. 391, ch. 2002-387; s. 115, ch. 2004-357.

1008.45  Community college accountability process.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that a management and accountability process be implemented which provides for the systematic, ongoing improvement and assessment of the improvement of the quality and efficiency of the Florida community colleges. Accordingly, the State Board of Education and the community college boards of trustees shall develop and implement an accountability plan to improve and evaluate the instructional and administrative efficiency and effectiveness of the Florida Community College System. This plan shall be designed in consultation with staff of the Governor and the Legislature and must address the following issues:

(a)  Graduation rates of A.A. and A.S. degree-seeking students compared to first-time-enrolled students seeking the associate degree.

(b)  Minority student enrollment and retention rates.

(c)  Student performance, including student performance in college-level academic skills, mean grade point averages for community college A.A. transfer students, and community college student performance on state licensure examinations.

(d)  Job placement rates of community college career students.

(e)  Student progression by admission status and program.

(f)  Career accountability standards identified in s. 1008.42.

(g)  Institutional assessment efforts related to the requirements of s. III in the Criteria for Accreditation of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

(h)  Other measures as identified by the Council for Education Policy Research and Improvement and approved by the State Board of Education.

(2)  The State Board of Education shall submit an annual report, to coincide with the submission of the agency strategic plan required by law, providing the results of initiatives taken during the prior year and the initiatives and related objective performance measures proposed for the next year.

(3)  The State Board of Education shall address within the annual evaluation of the performance of the executive director, and the community college boards of trustees shall address within the annual evaluation of the presidents, the achievement of the performance goals established by the accountability process.

History.--s. 392, ch. 2002-387; s. 116, ch. 2004-357.

1008.46  State university accountability process.--It is the intent of the Legislature that an accountability process be implemented that provides for the systematic, ongoing evaluation of quality and effectiveness of state universities. It is further the intent of the Legislature that this accountability process monitor performance at the system level in each of the major areas of instruction, research, and public service, while recognizing the differing missions of each of the state universities. The accountability process shall provide for the adoption of systemwide performance standards and performance goals for each standard identified through a collaborative effort involving state universities, the Legislature, and the Governor's Office. These standards and goals shall be consistent with s. 216.011(1) to maintain congruity with the performance-based budgeting process. This process requires that university accountability reports reflect measures defined through performance-based budgeting. The performance-based budgeting measures must also reflect the elements of teaching, research, and service inherent in the missions of the state universities.

(1)  By December 31 of each year, the State Board of Education shall submit an annual accountability report providing information on the implementation of performance standards, actions taken to improve university achievement of performance goals, the achievement of performance goals during the prior year, and initiatives to be undertaken during the next year. The accountability reports shall be designed in consultation with the Governor's Office, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, and the Legislature.

(2)  The State Board of Education shall recommend in the annual accountability report any appropriate modifications to this section.

History.--s. 393, ch. 2002-387.

1008.51  Council for Education Policy Research and Improvement.

1008.51  Council for Education Policy Research and Improvement.--The Council for Education Policy Research and Improvement is created as an independent office under the Office of Legislative Services, pursuant to s. 11.147. The council shall conduct and review education research, provide independent analysis on education progress, and provide independent evaluation of education issues of statewide concern. The Office of Legislative Services shall provide administrative functions of the council, pursuant to joint policies of the Legislature.

(1)  The council shall serve as a citizen board for independent policy research and analysis. The council shall be composed of five members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and two members appointed by the President of the Senate. Each member shall be appointed for a term of 6 years. However, for purposes of continuity, the Governor shall appoint two members, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member, and the President of the Senate shall appoint one member for a first term of 4 years. Members appointed for 4 years may be reappointed to one additional term. Members shall not include elected officials or employees of public or independent education entities. Members who miss two consecutive meetings may be replaced by the appointing officer.

(2)  The council shall meet as often as it considers necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. Members shall be paid travel and per diem expenses as provided in s. 112.061 while performing their duties under this section.

(3)  The council shall appoint an executive director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the council and shall perform the duties assigned to him or her by the council. The executive director is the chief administrative officer of the council and shall appoint all employees and staff members of the council, who shall serve under the executive director's direction and control.

(4)  The council shall:

(a)  Provide state policymakers, educators, and the public with objective and timely information that supports the seamless K-20 education system and the K-20 education accountability process designed to provide all students an opportunity for a high-quality education, in accordance with the policies and guiding principles of s. 1000.02 and the performance accountability system in s. 1008.31.

(b)  Explore national and state emerging educational issues and examine how these issues should be addressed by education institutions in Florida.

(c)  Prepare and submit to the State Board of Education a long-range master plan for education. The plan must include consideration of the promotion of quality, fundamental educational goals, programmatic access, needs for remedial education, regional and state economic development, international education programs, demographic patterns, student demand for programs, needs of particular subgroups of the population, implementation of innovative educational techniques and technology, and requirements of the labor market. The plan must evaluate the capacity of existing programs in public and independent institutions to respond to identified needs, and the council shall recommend efficient alternatives to address unmet needs. The council shall update the master plan at least every 5 years.

(d)  Prepare and submit for approval by the State Board of Education a long-range performance plan for K-20 education in Florida, and annually review and recommend improvement in the implementation of the plan.

(e)  Annually report on the progress of public schools and postsecondary education institutions toward meeting educational goals and standards as defined by s. 1008.31.

(f)  Recommend to the Legislature and the State Board of Education legislation and rules for the educational accountability system that support the policies and guiding principles of s. 1000.02.

(g)  Recommend to the State Board of Education revisions and new initiatives to further improve the K-20 education accountability system.

(h)  Provide public education institutions and the public with information on the K-20 education accountability system, recommend refinements and improvements, and evaluate issues pertaining to student learning gains.

(i)  On its own initiative or in response to the Governor, the Legislature, the State Board of Education, or the Commissioner of Education, issue reports and recommendations on matters relating to any education sector.

(j)  By January 1, 2003, and on a 3-year cycle thereafter, review and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the activities of research centers and institutes supported with state funds to assess the return on the state's investment in research conducted by public postsecondary education institutions, in coordination with the Leadership Board for Applied Research and Public Service, created pursuant to s. 1004.58.

(k)  Apply for and receive grants for the study of K-20 education system improvement consistent with its responsibilities.

(l)  Assist the State Board of Education in the conduct of its educational responsibilities in such capacities as the board considers appropriate.

History.--s. 395, ch. 2002-387.