The Florida Senate

1007.01  Articulation; legislative intent; purpose; role of the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors.

1007.02  Access to postsecondary education and meaningful careers for students with disabilities; popular name; definition.

1007.01  Articulation; legislative intent; purpose; role of the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to facilitate articulation and seamless integration of the K-20 education system by building and sustaining relationships among K-20 public organizations, between public and private organizations, and between the education system as a whole and Florida's communities. The purpose of building and sustaining these relationships is to provide for the efficient and effective progression and transfer of students within the education system and to allow students to proceed toward their educational objectives as rapidly as their circumstances permit.

(2)  To improve and facilitate articulation systemwide, the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall recommend policies and guidelines to the Legislature with input from statewide K-20 advisory groups established by the Commissioner of Education relating to:

(a)  The alignment between the exit requirements of one system and the admissions requirements of another system into which students typically transfer.

(b)  The identification of common courses, the level of courses, institutional participation in a statewide course numbering system, and the transferability of credits among such institutions.

(c)  Identification of courses that meet general education or common degree program prerequisite requirements at public postsecondary educational institutions.

(d)  Dual enrollment course equivalencies.

(e)  Articulation agreements.

History.--s. 344, ch. 2002-387; s. 111, ch. 2007-217.

1007.02  Access to postsecondary education and meaningful careers for students with disabilities; popular name; definition.--

(1)  This section shall be known by the popular name the "Enhanced New Needed Opportunity for Better Life and Education for Students with Disabilities (ENNOBLES) Act."

(2)  For the purposes of this act, the term "student with a disability" means any student who is documented as having mental retardation; a hearing impairment, including deafness; a speech or language impairment; a visual impairment, including blindness; a serious emotional disturbance, including an emotional handicap; an orthopedic impairment; autism; a traumatic brain injury; or a specific learning disability, including, but not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or developmental aphasia.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2003-8.

1007.21  Readiness for postsecondary education and the workplace.

1007.22  Articulation; postsecondary institution coordination and collaboration.

1007.23  Statewide articulation agreement.

1007.235  District interinstitutional articulation agreements.

1007.24  Statewide course numbering system.

1007.25  General education courses; common prerequisites; and other degree requirements.

1007.2615  American Sign Language; findings; foreign-language credits authorized; teacher licensing.

1007.262  Foreign language competence; equivalence determinations.

1007.263  Community colleges; admissions of students.

1007.264  Impaired and learning disabled persons; admission to postsecondary educational institutions; substitute requirements; rules.

1007.265  Impaired and learning disabled persons; graduation, study program admission, and upper-division entry; substitute requirements; rules.

1007.27  Articulated acceleration mechanisms.

1007.271  Dual enrollment programs.

1007.272  Joint dual enrollment and advanced placement instruction.

1007.28  Computer-assisted student advising system.

1007.21  Readiness for postsecondary education and the workplace.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that students and parents develop academic achievement and career goals for the student's post-high-school experience during the middle grades. Parents and students are to become partners with school personnel in career exploration and educational decisionmaking. Clear academic course expectations that emphasize rigorous and relevant coursework shall be made available to all students by allowing both student and parent choice.

(2)(a)  Students entering the 9th grade and their parents shall have developed during the middle grades a 4- to 5-year academic and career plan based on postsecondary and career goals. Alternate career and academic destinations should be considered with bridges between destinations to enable students to shift academic and career priorities if they choose to change goals. The destinations shall accommodate the needs of students served in exceptional education programs to the extent appropriate for individual students. Exceptional education students may continue to follow the courses outlined in the district school board student progression plan. Students and their parents shall choose among destinations, which must include:

1.  Four-year college or university, community college plus university, or military academy degree.

2.  Two-year postsecondary degree.

3.  Postsecondary career certificate.

4.  Immediate employment or entry-level military.

5.  A combination of the above.

(b)  The student progression model toward a chosen destination shall include:

1.  A "path" of core courses leading to each of the destinations provided in paragraph (a).

2.  A recommended group of electives which shall help define each path.

3.  Provisions for a teacher, school administrator, other school staff member, or community volunteer to be assigned to a student as an "academic advocate" if parental involvement is lacking.

(c)  The common placement test authorized in ss. 1001.03(10) and 1008.30 or a similar test may be administered to all high school second semester sophomores who have chosen one of the four destinations. The results of the placement test shall be used to target additional instructional needs in reading, writing, and mathematics prior to graduation.

(d)  Ample opportunity shall be provided for students to move from one destination to another, and some latitude shall exist within each destination, to meet the individual needs of students.

(e)  Destinations specified in subparagraphs (a)1., 2., and 3. shall support the goals of the Tech Prep program. Students participating in Tech Prep shall be enrolled in articulated, sequential programs of study that include a technical component and at least a minimum of a postsecondary certificate or 2-year degree.

(f)  In order for these destinations to be attainable, the business community shall be encouraged to support real-world internships and apprenticeships.

(g)  All students shall be encouraged to take part in service learning opportunities.

(h)  High school equivalency diploma preparation programs shall not be a choice for high school students leading to any of the four destinations provided in paragraph (a) since the appropriate coursework, counseling component, and career preparation cannot be ensured.

(i)  Schools shall ensure that students and parents are made aware of the destinations available and provide the necessary coursework to assist the student in reaching the chosen destination. Students and parents shall be made aware of the student's progress toward the chosen destination.

(j)  The Department of Education shall offer technical assistance to school districts to ensure that the destinations offered also meet the academic standards adopted by the state.

(3)(a)  Access to Level I courses for graduation credit and for pursuit of a declared destination shall be limited to only those students for whom assessment indicates a more rigorous course of study would be inappropriate.

(b)  The school principal shall:

1.  Designate a member of the existing instructional or administrative staff to serve as a specialist to help coordinate the use of student achievement strategies to help students succeed in their coursework. The specialist shall also assist teachers in integrating the academic and career curricula, utilizing technology, providing feedback regarding student achievement, and implementing the Blueprint for Career Preparation and Tech Prep programs.

2.  Institute strategies to eliminate reading, writing, and mathematics deficiencies of secondary students.

History.--s. 346, ch. 2002-387; s. 48, ch. 2004-41; s. 104, ch. 2004-357; s. 37, ch. 2006-74.

1007.22  Articulation; postsecondary institution coordination and collaboration.--

(1)  The university boards of trustees, community college boards of trustees, and district school boards are encouraged to establish intrainstitutional and interinstitutional programs to maximize articulation. Programs may include upper-division-level courses offered at the community college, distance learning, transfer agreements that facilitate the transfer of credits between public and nonpublic postsecondary institutions, and the concurrent enrollment of students at a community college and a state university to enable students to take any level of baccalaureate degree coursework.

(2)  The levels of postsecondary education shall collaborate in further developing and providing articulated programs in which students can proceed toward their educational objectives as rapidly as their circumstances permit. Time-shortened educational programs, as well as the use of acceleration mechanisms, shall include, but not be limited to, the International Baccalaureate, Advanced International Certificate of Education, credit by examination or demonstration of competency, advanced placement, early admissions, and dual enrollment.

(3)  Public postsecondary educational institutions serving the same students in a geographic and service area are encouraged to establish appropriate interinstitutional mechanisms to achieve cooperative planning and delivery of academic programs and related services, share a high-cost instructional facility and equipment, coordinate credit and noncredit outreach activities, have access to each other's library and media holdings and services, and provide cooperative campus activities and consultative relationships for the discussion and resolution of interinstitutional issues and problems which discourage student access or transfer.

(4)  Public postsecondary education institutions are encouraged to include independent colleges and universities and industries within their service areas in mutual planning of a comprehensive, complementary, cost-effective array of undergraduate and beginning graduate programs of study to serve that geographic area.

History.--s. 347, ch. 2002-387; s. 3, ch. 2005-196; s. 112, ch. 2007-217.

1007.23  Statewide articulation agreement.--

(1)  The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall enter into a statewide articulation agreement which the State Board of Education shall adopt by rule. The agreement must preserve Florida's "2+2" system of articulation, facilitate the seamless articulation of student credit across and among Florida's educational entities, and reinforce the provisions of this chapter by governing:

(a)  Articulation between secondary and postsecondary education;

(b)  Admission of associate in arts degree graduates from community colleges and state universities;

(c)  Admission of applied technology diploma program graduates from community colleges or career centers;

(d)  Admission of associate in science degree and associate in applied science degree graduates from community colleges;

(e)  The use of acceleration mechanisms, including nationally standardized examinations through which students may earn credit;

(f)  General education requirements and statewide course numbers as provided for in ss. 1007.24 and 1007.25; and

(g)  Articulation among programs in nursing.

(2)  The articulation agreement must specifically provide that every associate in arts graduate of a community college shall have met all general education requirements and must be granted admission to the upper division of a state university except to a limited access or teacher certification program or a major program requiring an audition. Community college associate in arts graduates shall receive priority for admission to a state university over out-of-state students. Orientation programs and student handbooks provided to freshman enrollees and transfer students at state universities must include an explanation of this provision of the articulation agreement.

(3)  The articulation agreement must guarantee the statewide articulation of appropriate workforce development programs and courses between school districts and community colleges and specifically provide that every applied technology diploma graduate must be granted the same amount of credit upon admission to an associate in science degree or associate in applied science degree program unless it is a limited access program. Preference for admission must be given to graduates who are residents of Florida.

(4)  The articulation agreement must guarantee the statewide articulation of appropriate courses within associate in science degree programs to baccalaureate degree programs. Courses within an associate in applied science degree program may articulate into a baccalaureate degree program on an individual or block basis as authorized in local interinstitutional articulation agreements.

(5)  The articulation agreement must guarantee the articulation of 9 credit hours toward a postsecondary degree in early childhood education for programs approved by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors which:

(a)  Award a child development associate credential issued by the National Credentialing Program of the Council for Professional Recognition or award a credential approved under s. 1002.55(3)(c)1.b. or s. 402.305(3)(c) as being equivalent to the child development associate credential; and

(b)  Include training in emergent literacy which meets or exceeds the minimum standards for training courses for prekindergarten instructors of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program in s. 1002.59.

History.--s. 348, ch. 2002-387; s. 105, ch. 2004-357; s. 15, ch. 2004-484; s. 113, ch. 2007-217.

1007.235  District interinstitutional articulation agreements.--

(1)  District school superintendents and community college presidents shall jointly develop and implement a comprehensive articulated acceleration program for the students enrolled in their respective school districts and service areas. Within this general responsibility, each superintendent and president shall develop a comprehensive interinstitutional articulation agreement for the school district and community college that serves the school district. The district school superintendent and president shall establish an articulation committee for the purpose of developing this agreement. Each state university president is encouraged to designate a university representative to participate in the development of the interinstitutional articulation agreements for each school district within the university service area.

(2)  The district interinstitutional articulation agreement for each school year must be completed before high school registration for the fall term of the following school year. The agreement must include, but is not limited to, the following components:

(a)  A ratification or modification of all existing articulation agreements.

(b)1.  A delineation of courses and programs available to students eligible to participate in dual enrollment. This delineation must include a plan for the community college to provide guidance services to participating students on the selection of courses in the dual enrollment program. The process of community college guidance should make maximum use of the automated advisement system for community colleges. The plan must assure that each dual enrollment student is encouraged to identify a postsecondary education objective with which to guide the course selection. At a minimum, each student's plan should include a list of courses that will result in an Applied Technology Diploma, an Associate in Science degree, or an Associate in Arts degree. If the student identifies a baccalaureate degree as the objective, the plan must include courses that will meet the general education requirements and any prerequisite requirements for entrance into a selected baccalaureate degree program.

2.  A delineation of the process by which students and their parents are informed about opportunities to participate in articulated acceleration programs.

3.  A delineation of the process by which students and their parents exercise their option to participate in an articulated acceleration program.

4.  A delineation of high school credits earned for completion of each dual enrollment course.

5.  Provision for postsecondary courses that meet the criteria for inclusion in a district articulated acceleration program to be counted toward meeting the graduation requirements of s. 1003.43.

6.  An identification of eligibility criteria for student participation in dual enrollment courses and programs.

7.  A delineation of institutional responsibilities regarding student screening prior to enrollment and monitoring student performance subsequent to enrollment in dual enrollment courses and programs.

8.  An identification of the criteria by which the quality of dual enrollment courses and programs are to be judged and a delineation of institutional responsibilities for the maintenance of instructional quality.

9.  A delineation of institutional responsibilities for assuming the cost of dual enrollment courses and programs that includes such responsibilities for student instructional materials.

10.  An identification of responsibility for providing student transportation if the dual enrollment instruction is conducted at a facility other than the high school campus.

11.  A delineation of the process for converting college credit hours earned through dual enrollment and early admission programs to high school credit based on mastery of course outcomes as determined by the Department of Education in accordance with s. 1007.271(6).

(c)  Mechanisms and strategies for reducing the incidence of postsecondary remediation in math, reading, and writing for first-time-enrolled recent high school graduates, based upon the findings in the postsecondary readiness-for-college report produced pursuant to s. 1008.37. Each articulation committee shall annually analyze and assess the effectiveness of the mechanisms toward meeting the goal of reducing postsecondary remediation needs. Results of the assessment shall be annually presented to participating district school boards and community college boards of trustees and shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  Mechanisms currently being initiated.

2.  An analysis of problems and corrective actions.

3.  Anticipated outcomes.

4.  Strategies for the better preparation of students upon graduation from high school.

5.  An analysis of costs associated with the implementation of postsecondary remedial education and secondary-level corrective actions.

6.  The identification of strategies for reducing costs of the delivery of postsecondary remediation for recent high school graduates, including the consideration and assessment of alternative instructional methods and services such as those produced by private providers.

Wherever possible, public schools and community colleges are encouraged to share resources, form partnerships with private industries, and implement innovative strategies and mechanisms such as distance learning, summer student and faculty workshops, parental involvement activities, and the distribution of information over the Internet.

(d)  Mechanisms and strategies for promoting "tech prep" programs of study. Such mechanisms should raise awareness about the programs, promote enrollment in the programs, and articulate students from a secondary portion into a planned, related postsecondary portion of a sequential program of study that leads to a terminal postsecondary career or technical education degree or certificate.

(3)  The district interinstitutional articulation agreement shall include a plan that outlines the mechanisms and strategies for improving the preparation of elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Effective collaboration among school districts, postsecondary institutions, and practicing educators is essential to improving teaching in Florida's elementary and secondary schools and consequently, the retention and success of students through high school graduation and into postsecondary education. Professional development programs shall be developed cooperatively and include curricular content which focuses upon local and state needs and responds to state, national, and district policy and program priorities. School districts and community colleges are encouraged to develop plans which utilize new technologies, address critical needs in their implementation, and include both preservice and inservice initiatives.

(4)  The district school superintendent is responsible for incorporating, either directly or by reference, all dual enrollment courses contained within the district interinstitutional articulation agreement within the district school board's student progression plan.

(5)  The Department of Education shall review each articulation agreement and certify the statewide course number of postsecondary courses that meet each district's graduation requirements.

(6)  District school boards and community colleges may enter into additional interinstitutional articulation agreements with state universities for the purposes of this section. School districts may also enter into interinstitutional articulation agreements with eligible independent colleges and universities pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(i).

(7)  State universities and community colleges may enter into interinstitutional articulation agreements with nonpublic secondary schools pursuant to s. 1007.271(2).

History.--s. 349, ch. 2002-387.

1007.24  Statewide course numbering system.--

(1)  The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Board of Governors, shall develop, coordinate, and maintain a statewide course numbering system for postsecondary and dual enrollment education in school districts, public postsecondary educational institutions, and participating nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions that will improve program planning, increase communication among all delivery systems, and facilitate student acceleration and the transfer of students and credits between public school districts, public postsecondary educational institutions, and participating nonpublic educational institutions. The continuing maintenance of the system shall be accomplished with the assistance of appropriate faculty committees representing public and participating nonpublic educational institutions.

(2)  The Commissioner of Education, in conjunction with the Chancellor of the State University System, shall appoint faculty committees representing faculties of participating institutions to recommend a single level for each course, including postsecondary career education courses, included in the statewide course numbering system.

(a)  Any course designated as an upper-division-level course must be characterized by a need for advanced academic preparation and skills that a student would be unlikely to achieve without significant prior coursework.

(b)  A course that is offered as part of an associate in science degree program and as an upper-division course for a baccalaureate degree shall be designated for both the lower and upper division.

(c)  A course designated as lower-division may be offered by any community college.

(3)  The Commissioner of Education shall recommend to the State Board of Education the levels for the courses. The State Board of Education, with input from the Board of Governors, shall approve the levels for the courses.

(4)  The statewide course numbering system shall include the courses at the recommended levels.

(5)  The registration process at each state university and community college shall include the courses at their designated levels and statewide course number.

(6)  Nonpublic colleges and schools that are fully accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and are either eligible to participate in the William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant or have been issued a regular license pursuant to s. 1005.31, may participate in the statewide course numbering system pursuant to this section. Participating colleges and schools shall bear the costs associated with inclusion in the system and shall meet the terms and conditions for institutional participation in the system. The department shall adopt a fee schedule that includes the expenses incurred through data processing, faculty task force travel and per diem, and staff and clerical support time. Such fee schedule may differentiate between the costs associated with initial course inclusion in the system and costs associated with subsequent course maintenance in the system. Decisions regarding initial course inclusion and subsequent course maintenance must be made within 360 days after submission of the required materials and fees by the institution. The Department of Education may select a date by which colleges must submit requests for new courses to be included, and may delay review of courses submitted after that date until the next year's cycle. Any college that currently participates in the system, and that participated in the system prior to July 1, 1986, shall not be required to pay the costs associated with initial course inclusion in the system. Fees collected for participation in the statewide course numbering system pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be deposited in the Institutional Assessment Trust Fund. Any nonpublic, nonprofit college or university that is eligible to participate in the statewide course numbering system shall not be required to pay the costs associated with participation in the system. No college or school shall record student transcripts or document courses offered by the college or school in accordance with this subsection unless the college or school is actually participating in the system pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education. Any college or school deemed to be in violation of this section shall be subject to the provisions of s. 1005.38.

(7)  Any student who transfers among postsecondary institutions that are fully accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and that participate in the statewide course numbering system shall be awarded credit by the receiving institution for courses satisfactorily completed by the student at the previous institutions. Credit shall be awarded if the courses are judged by the appropriate statewide course numbering system faculty committees representing school districts, public postsecondary educational institutions, and participating nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions to be academically equivalent to courses offered at the receiving institution, including equivalency of faculty credentials, regardless of the public or nonpublic control of the previous institution. The Department of Education shall ensure that credits to be accepted by a receiving institution are generated in courses for which the faculty possess credentials that are comparable to those required by the accrediting association of the receiving institution. The award of credit may be limited to courses that are entered in the statewide course numbering system. Credits awarded pursuant to this subsection shall satisfy institutional requirements on the same basis as credits awarded to native students.

(8)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that provide for the conduct of regularly scheduled purges of courses that are listed in the statewide course numbering system but have not been taught at an institution for the preceding 5 years. These rules must include waiver provisions that allow course continuation if an institution has reasonable cause for having not offered a course within the 5-year limit and an expectation that the course will be offered again within the following 5 years.

History.--s. 350, ch. 2002-387; s. 106, ch. 2004-357; s. 114, ch. 2007-217.

1007.25  General education courses; common prerequisites; and other degree requirements.--

(1)  The department shall identify the degree programs offered by public postsecondary educational institutions.

(2)  The department shall identify postsecondary career education programs offered by community colleges and district school boards. The department shall also identify career courses designated as college credit courses applicable toward a career education diploma or degree. Such courses must be identified within the statewide course numbering system.

(3)  The department shall identify those courses that meet general education requirements within the subject areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. The courses shall be identified by their statewide course code number. All public postsecondary educational institutions shall accept these general education courses.

(4)  The department shall identify those courses offered by universities and accepted for credit toward a degree. The department shall identify courses designated as either general education or required as a prerequisite for a degree. The courses shall be identified by their statewide course number.

(5)  The department shall identify common prerequisite courses and course substitutions for degree programs across all institutions. Common degree program prerequisites shall be offered and accepted by all state universities and community colleges, except in cases approved by the State Board of Education for community colleges and the Board of Governors for state universities. The department shall develop a centralized database containing the list of courses and course substitutions that meet the prerequisite requirements for each baccalaureate degree program.

(6)  The boards of trustees of the community colleges shall identify their core curricula, which shall include courses required by the State Board of Education. The boards of trustees of the state universities shall identify their core curricula, which shall include courses required by the Board of Governors. The universities and community colleges shall work with their school districts to assure that high school curricula coordinate with the core curricula and to prepare students for college-level work. Core curricula for associate in arts programs shall be adopted in rule by the State Board of Education and shall include 36 semester hours of general education courses in the subject areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.

(7)  An associate in arts degree shall require no more than 60 semester hours of college credit, including 36 semester hours of general education coursework. Except for college-preparatory coursework required pursuant to s. 1008.30, all required coursework shall count toward the associate in arts degree or the baccalaureate degree.

(8)  A baccalaureate degree program shall require no more than 120 semester hours of college credit, including 36 semester hours of general education coursework, unless prior approval has been granted by the Board of Governors for baccalaureate degree programs offered by state universities and by the State Board of Education for baccalaureate degree programs offered by community colleges.

(9)  A student who received an associate in arts degree for successfully completing 60 semester credit hours may continue to earn additional credits at a community college. The university must provide credit toward the student's baccalaureate degree for an additional community college course if, according to the statewide course numbering, the community college course is a course listed in the university catalog as required for the degree or as prerequisite to a course required for the degree. Of the courses required for the degree, at least half of the credit hours required for the degree shall be achievable through courses designated as lower division, except in degree programs approved by the State Board of Education for programs offered by community colleges and by the Board of Governors for programs offered by state universities.

(10)  Students at state universities may request associate in arts certificates if they have successfully completed the minimum requirements for the degree of associate in arts (A.A.). The university must grant the student an associate in arts degree if the student has successfully completed minimum requirements for college-level communication and computation skills adopted by the State Board of Education and 60 academic semester hours or the equivalent within a degree program area, with 36 semester hours in general education courses in the subject areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, consistent with the general education requirements specified in the articulation agreement pursuant to s. 1007.23.

(11)  The Commissioner of Education shall appoint faculty committees representing both community college and public school faculties to recommend to the commissioner for approval by the State Board of Education a standard program length and appropriate occupational completion points for each postsecondary career certificate program, diploma, and degree offered by a school district or a community college.

History.--s. 351, ch. 2002-387; s. 107, ch. 2004-357; s. 115, ch. 2007-217.

1007.2615  American Sign Language; findings; foreign-language credits authorized; teacher licensing.--

(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; PURPOSE.--

(a)  The Legislature finds that:

1.  American Sign Language (ASL) is a fully developed visual-gestural language with distinct grammar, syntax, and symbols and is one of hundreds of signed languages of the world.

2.  ASL is recognized as the language of the American deaf community and is the fourth most commonly used language in the United States and Canada.

3.  The American deaf community is a group of citizens who are members of a unique culture who share ASL as their common language.

4.  Thirty-three state legislatures have adopted legislation recognizing ASL as a language that should be taught in schools.

(b)  It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize ASL as the language of the American deaf community, to authorize public and independent schools to offer ASL as a course of study, and to accept secondary-school ASL credits as foreign-language credits.

(2)  AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE; FOREIGN-LANGUAGE CREDIT.--

(a)  American Sign Language is a visual-gestural system of communication used by many in the deaf community living in the United States and Canada. It is a complete and complex language that has its own syntax, rhetoric, and grammar and that is used to convey information and meaning through signs made with the hands, arms, facial gestures, and other body movements.

(b)  Any public or independent school may offer American Sign Language for foreign-language credit. Students taking American Sign Language for foreign-language credit must be advised by the school board prior to enrollment in such course that state universities and postsecondary institutions outside of Florida may not accept such credits as satisfying foreign-language requirements.

(3)  DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION AND STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; LICENSING OF AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS; PLAN FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROVIDERS.--

(a)  The Commissioner of Education shall appoint a seven-member task force that includes representatives from two state universities and one private college or university located within this state which currently offer a 4-year deaf education or sign language interpretation program as a part of their respective curricula, two representatives from the Florida American Sign Language Teachers' Association (FASLTA), and two representatives from community colleges located within this state which have established Interpreter Training Programs (ITPs). This task force shall develop and submit to the Commissioner of Education a report that contains the most up-to-date information about American Sign Language (ASL) and guidelines for developing and maintaining ASL courses as a part of the curriculum. This information must be made available to any administrator of a public or an independent school upon request of the administrator.

(b)  By January 1, 2005, the State Board of Education shall adopt rules establishing licensing/certification standards to be applied to teachers who teach ASL as part of a school curriculum. In developing the rules, the state board shall consult with the task force established under paragraph (a).

(c)  An ASL teacher must be certified by the Department of Education by July 1, 2009.

(d)  The Commissioner of Education shall work with providers of postsecondary education, except for state universities, to develop and implement a plan to ensure that these institutions in this state will accept secondary school credits in ASL as credits in a foreign language and to encourage postsecondary institutions to offer ASL courses to students as a fulfillment of the requirement for studying a foreign language.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2003-119; s. 38, ch. 2006-74; s. 116, ch. 2007-217.

1007.262  Foreign language competence; equivalence determinations.--The Department of Education shall identify the competencies demonstrated by students upon the successful completion of 2 credits of sequential high school foreign language instruction. For the purpose of determining postsecondary equivalence, the department shall develop rules through which community colleges correlate such competencies to the competencies required of students in the colleges' respective courses. Based on this correlation, each community college shall identify the minimum number of postsecondary credits that students must earn in order to demonstrate a level of competence in a foreign language at least equivalent to that of students who have completed 2 credits of such instruction in high school. The department may also specify alternative means by which students can demonstrate equivalent foreign language competence, including means by which a student whose native language is not English may demonstrate proficiency in the native language. A student who demonstrates proficiency in a native language other than English is exempt from a requirement of completing foreign language courses at the secondary or community college level.

History.--s. 353, ch. 2002-387; s. 117, ch. 2007-217.

1007.263  Community colleges; admissions of students.--Each community college board of trustees is authorized to adopt rules governing admissions of students subject to this section and rules of the State Board of Education. These rules shall include the following:

(1)  Admissions counseling shall be provided to all students entering college or career credit programs. Counseling shall utilize tests to measure achievement of college-level communication and computation competencies by all students entering college credit programs or tests to measure achievement of basic skills for career programs as prescribed in s. 1004.91.

(2)  Admission to associate degree programs is subject to minimum standards adopted by the State Board of Education and shall require:

(a)  A standard high school diploma, a high school equivalency diploma as prescribed in s. 1003.435, previously demonstrated competency in college credit postsecondary coursework, or, in the case of a student who is home educated, a signed affidavit submitted by the student's parent or legal guardian attesting that the student has completed a home education program pursuant to the requirements of s. 1002.41. Students who are enrolled in a dual enrollment or early admission program pursuant to ss. 1007.27 and 1007.271 and secondary students enrolled in college-level instruction creditable toward the associate degree, but not toward the high school diploma, shall be exempt from this requirement.

(b)  A demonstrated level of achievement of college-level communication and computation skills.

(c)  Any other requirements established by the board of trustees.

(3)  Admission to other programs within the community college shall include education requirements as established by the board of trustees.

(4)  A student who has been awarded a special diploma as defined in s. 1003.438 or a certificate of completion as defined in s. 1003.43(10) is eligible to enroll in certificate career education programs.

(5)  A student with a documented disability may be eligible for reasonable substitutions, as prescribed in ss. 1007.264 and 1007.265.

Each board of trustees shall establish policies that notify students about, and place students into, adult basic education, adult secondary education, or other instructional programs that provide students with alternatives to traditional college-preparatory instruction, including private provider instruction. A student is prohibited from enrolling in additional college-level courses until the student scores above the cut-score on all sections of the common placement test.

History.--s. 354, ch. 2002-387; s. 3, ch. 2003-8.

1007.264  Impaired and learning disabled persons; admission to postsecondary educational institutions; substitute requirements; rules.--

(1)  Any student with a disability, as defined in s. 1007.02(2), except those students who have been documented as having mental retardation, shall be eligible for reasonable substitution for any requirement for admission into a public postsecondary educational institution where documentation can be provided that the person's failure to meet the admission requirement is related to the disability.

(2)  The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Governors, shall adopt rules to implement this section for community colleges and shall develop substitute admission requirements where appropriate.

(3)  The Board of Governors, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall adopt rules to implement this section for state universities and shall develop substitute admission requirements where appropriate.

History.--s. 355, ch. 2002-387; s. 4, ch. 2003-8; s. 118, ch. 2007-217.

1007.265  Impaired and learning disabled persons; graduation, study program admission, and upper-division entry; substitute requirements; rules.--

(1)  Any student with a disability, as defined in s. 1007.02(2), in a public postsecondary educational institution, except those students who have been documented as having mental retardation, shall be eligible for reasonable substitution for any requirement for graduation, for admission into a program of study, or for entry into the upper division where documentation can be provided that the person's failure to meet the requirement is related to the disability and where failure to meet the graduation requirement or program admission requirement does not constitute a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program.

(2)  The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Governors, shall adopt rules to implement this section for community colleges and shall develop substitute requirements where appropriate.

(3)  The Board of Governors, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall adopt rules to implement this section for state universities and shall develop substitute requirements where appropriate.

History.--s. 5, ch. 2003-8; s. 119, ch. 2007-217.

1007.27  Articulated acceleration mechanisms.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that a variety of articulated acceleration mechanisms be available for secondary and postsecondary students attending public educational institutions. It is intended that articulated acceleration serve to shorten the time necessary for a student to complete the requirements associated with the conference of a high school diploma and a postsecondary degree, broaden the scope of curricular options available to students, or increase the depth of study available for a particular subject. Articulated acceleration mechanisms shall include, but not be limited to, dual enrollment as provided for in s. 1007.271, early admission, advanced placement, credit by examination, the International Baccalaureate Program, and the Advanced International Certificate of Education Program. Credit earned through the Florida Virtual School shall provide additional opportunities for early graduation and acceleration.

(2)  The Department of Education shall identify the minimum scores, maximum credit, and course or courses for which credit is to be awarded for each College Level Examination Program (CLEP) general examination, CLEP subject examination, College Board Advanced Placement Program examination, and International Baccalaureate examination. In addition, the department shall identify such courses in the general education core curriculum of each state university and community college.

(3)  Each community college and state university must award credit for specific courses for which competency has been demonstrated by successful passage of one of the examinations in subsection (2) unless the award of credit duplicates credit already awarded. Community colleges and state universities may not exempt students from courses without the award of credit if competencies have been so demonstrated.

(4)  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide articulated acceleration mechanisms for students who are in home education programs, as defined in s. 1002.01, consistent with the educational opportunities available to public and private secondary school students. Home education students may participate in dual enrollment, career dual enrollment, early admission, and credit by examination. Credit earned by home education students through dual enrollment shall apply toward the completion of a home education program that meets the requirements of s. 1002.41.

(5)  Early admission shall be a form of dual enrollment through which eligible secondary students enroll in a postsecondary institution on a full-time basis in courses that are creditable toward the high school diploma and the associate or baccalaureate degree. Students enrolled pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, and laboratory fees.

(6)  Advanced placement shall be the enrollment of an eligible secondary student in a course offered through the Advanced Placement Program administered by the College Board. Postsecondary credit for an advanced placement course shall be limited to students who score a minimum of 3, on a 5-point scale, on the corresponding Advanced Placement Examination. The specific courses for which students receive such credit shall be identified in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1). Students of Florida public secondary schools enrolled pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the payment of any fees for administration of the examination regardless of whether or not the student achieves a passing score on the examination.

(7)  Credit by examination shall be the program through which secondary and postsecondary students generate postsecondary credit based on the receipt of a specified minimum score on nationally standardized general or subject-area examinations. For the purpose of statewide application, such examinations and the corresponding minimum scores required for an award of credit shall be delineated by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1). The maximum credit generated by a student pursuant to this subsection shall be mitigated by any related postsecondary credit earned by the student prior to the administration of the examination. This subsection shall not preclude community colleges and universities from awarding credit by examination based on student performance on examinations developed within and recognized by the individual postsecondary institutions.

(8)  The International Baccalaureate Program shall be the curriculum in which eligible secondary students are enrolled in a program of studies offered through the International Baccalaureate Program administered by the International Baccalaureate Office. The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall specify in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1) the cutoff scores and International Baccalaureate Examinations which will be used to grant postsecondary credit at community colleges and universities. Any changes to the articulation agreement, which have the effect of raising the required cutoff score or of changing the International Baccalaureate Examinations which will be used to grant postsecondary credit, shall only apply to students taking International Baccalaureate Examinations after such changes are adopted by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors. Students shall be awarded a maximum of 30 semester credit hours pursuant to this subsection. The specific course for which a student may receive such credit shall be specified in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1). Students enrolled pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the payment of any fees for administration of the examinations regardless of whether or not the student achieves a passing score on the examination.

(9)  The Advanced International Certificate of Education Program and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (pre-AICE) Program shall be the curricula in which eligible secondary students are enrolled in programs of study offered through the Advanced International Certificate of Education Program or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (pre-AICE) Program administered by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall specify in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1) the cutoff scores and Advanced International Certificate of Education examinations which will be used to grant postsecondary credit at community colleges and universities. Any changes to the cutoff scores, which changes have the effect of raising the required cutoff score or of changing the Advanced International Certification of Education examinations which will be used to grant postsecondary credit, shall apply to students taking Advanced International Certificate of Education examinations after such changes are adopted by the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors. Students shall be awarded a maximum of 30 semester credit hours pursuant to this subsection. The specific course for which a student may receive such credit shall be determined by the community college or university that accepts the student for admission. Students enrolled in either program of study pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the payment of any fees for administration of the examinations regardless of whether the student achieves a passing score on the examination.

(10)  Any student who earns 9 or more credits from one or more of the acceleration mechanisms provided for in this section is exempt from any requirement of a public postsecondary educational institution mandating enrollment during a summer term.

History.--s. 356, ch. 2002-387; s. 6, ch. 2003-8; s. 167, ch. 2004-5; s. 108, ch. 2004-357; s. 5, ch. 2005-196; s. 120, ch. 2007-217.

1007.271  Dual enrollment programs.--

(1)  The dual enrollment program is the enrollment of an eligible secondary student or home education student in a postsecondary course creditable toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree.

(2)  For the purpose of this section, an eligible secondary student is a student who is enrolled in a Florida public secondary school or in a Florida private secondary school which is in compliance with s. 1002.42(2) and conducts a secondary curriculum pursuant to s. 1003.43. Students enrolled in postsecondary instruction that is not creditable toward the high school diploma shall not be classified as dual enrollments. Students who are eligible for dual enrollment pursuant to this section shall be permitted to enroll in dual enrollment courses conducted during school hours, after school hours, and during the summer term. Instructional time for such enrollment may vary from 900 hours; however, the school district may only report the student for a maximum of 1.0 FTE, as provided in s. 1011.61(4). Each semester of instruction that is eligible for high school and postsecondary credit shall be reported by school districts as 75 membership hours for purposes of FTE calculation. Any student so enrolled is exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, and laboratory fees. Vocational-preparatory instruction, college-preparatory instruction and other forms of precollegiate instruction, as well as physical education courses that focus on the physical execution of a skill rather than the intellectual attributes of the activity, are ineligible for inclusion in the dual enrollment program. Recreation and leisure studies courses shall be evaluated individually in the same manner as physical education courses for potential inclusion in the program.

(3)  The Department of Education shall adopt guidelines designed to achieve comparability across school districts of both student qualifications and teacher qualifications for dual enrollment courses. Student qualifications must demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework if the student is to be enrolled in college courses. Student qualifications must demonstrate readiness for career-level coursework if the student is to be enrolled in career courses. In addition to the common placement examination, student qualifications for enrollment in college credit dual enrollment courses must include a 3.0 unweighted grade point average, and student qualifications for enrollment in career certificate dual enrollment courses must include a 2.0 unweighted grade point average. Exceptions to the required grade point averages may be granted if the educational entities agree and the terms of the agreement are contained within the dual enrollment interinstitutional articulation agreement. Community college boards of trustees may establish additional admissions criteria, which shall be included in the district interinstitutional articulation agreement developed according to s. 1007.235, to ensure student readiness for postsecondary instruction. Additional requirements included in the agreement shall not arbitrarily prohibit students who have demonstrated the ability to master advanced courses from participating in dual enrollment courses. District school boards may not refuse to enter into an agreement with a local community college if that community college has the capacity to offer dual enrollment courses.

(4)  Career dual enrollment shall be provided as a curricular option for secondary students to pursue in order to earn a series of elective credits toward the high school diploma. Career dual enrollment shall be available for secondary students seeking a degree or certificate from a complete career-preparatory program, and shall not be used to enroll students in isolated career courses. It is the intent of the Legislature that career dual enrollment provide a comprehensive academic and career dual enrollment program within the career center or community college.

(5)  Each district school board shall inform all secondary students of dual enrollment as an educational option and mechanism for acceleration. Students shall be informed of eligibility criteria, the option for taking dual enrollment courses beyond the regular school year, and the minimum academic credits required for graduation. District school boards shall annually assess the demand for dual enrollment and other advanced courses, and the district school board shall consider strategies and programs to meet that demand and include access to dual enrollment on the high school campus whenever possible. Alternative grade calculation, weighting systems, or information regarding student education options which discriminates against dual enrollment courses is prohibited.

(6)  The Commissioner of Education shall appoint faculty committees representing public school, community college, and university faculties to identify postsecondary courses that meet the high school graduation requirements of s. 1003.43, and to establish the number of postsecondary semester credit hours of instruction and equivalent high school credits earned through dual enrollment pursuant to this section that are necessary to meet high school graduation requirements. Such equivalencies shall be determined solely on comparable course content and not on seat time traditionally allocated to such courses in high school. The Commissioner of Education shall recommend to the State Board of Education those postsecondary courses identified to meet high school graduation requirements, based on mastery of course outcomes, by their course numbers, and all high schools shall accept these postsecondary education courses toward meeting the requirements of s. 1003.43.

(7)  Early admission shall be a form of dual enrollment through which eligible secondary students enroll in a postsecondary institution on a full-time basis in courses that are creditable toward the high school diploma and the associate or baccalaureate degree. Students enrolled pursuant to this subsection shall be exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, and laboratory fees.

(8)  Career early admission is a form of career dual enrollment through which eligible secondary students enroll full time in a career center or a community college in courses that are creditable toward the high school diploma and the certificate or associate degree. Participation in the career early admission program shall be limited to students who have completed a minimum of 6 semesters of full-time secondary enrollment, including studies undertaken in the ninth grade. Students enrolled pursuant to this section are exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, and laboratory fees.

(9)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for any dual enrollment programs involving requirements for high school graduation.

(10)(a)  The dual enrollment program for home education students consists of the enrollment of an eligible home education secondary student in a postsecondary course creditable toward an associate degree, a career certificate, or a baccalaureate degree. To participate in the dual enrollment program, an eligible home education secondary student must:

1.  Provide proof of enrollment in a home education program pursuant to s. 1002.41.

2.  Be responsible for his or her own instructional materials and transportation unless provided for otherwise.

(b)  Each career center, community college, and state university shall:

1.  Delineate courses and programs for dually enrolled home education students. Courses and programs may be added, revised, or deleted at any time.

2.  Identify eligibility criteria for home education student participation, not to exceed those required of other dually enrolled students.

(11)  The Department of Education shall approve any course for inclusion in the dual enrollment program that is contained within the statewide course numbering system. However, college-preparatory and other forms of precollegiate instruction, and physical education and other courses that focus on the physical execution of a skill rather than the intellectual attributes of the activity, may not be so approved, but must be evaluated individually for potential inclusion in the dual enrollment program. This subsection shall not be construed to mean that an independent postsecondary institution eligible for inclusion in a dual enrollment or early admission program pursuant to s. 1011.62 must participate in the statewide course numbering system developed pursuant to s. 1007.24 to participate in a dual enrollment program.

(12)  The Department of Education shall develop a statement on transfer guarantees which will inform students, prior to enrollment in a dual enrollment course, of the potential for the dual enrollment course to articulate as an elective or a general education course into a postsecondary education certificate or degree program. The statement shall be provided to each district school superintendent, who shall include the statement in the information provided to all secondary students as required pursuant to this subsection. The statement may also include additional information, including, but not limited to, dual enrollment options, guarantees, privileges, and responsibilities.

(13)  Students who meet the eligibility requirements of this section and who choose to participate in dual enrollment programs are exempt from the payment of registration, tuition, and laboratory fees.

(14)  Instructional materials assigned for use within dual enrollment courses shall be made available to dual enrollment students from Florida public high schools free of charge. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit a community college from providing instructional materials at no cost to a home education student or student from a private school. Students enrolled in postsecondary instruction not creditable toward a high school diploma shall not be considered dual enrollments and shall be required to assume the cost of instructional materials necessary for such instruction.

(15)  Instructional materials purchased by a district school board or community college board of trustees on behalf of dual enrollment students shall be the property of the board against which the purchase is charged.

(16)  Beginning with students entering grade 9 in the 2006-2007 school year, school districts and community colleges must weigh dual enrollment courses the same as advanced placement, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced International Certificate of Education courses when grade point averages are calculated. Alternative grade calculation or weighting systems that discriminate against dual enrollment courses are prohibited.

(17)  The Commissioner of Education may approve dual enrollment agreements for limited course offerings that have statewide appeal. Such programs shall be limited to a single site with multiple county participation.

History.--s. 357, ch. 2002-387; s. 109, ch. 2004-357; s. 6, ch. 2005-196; s. 39, ch. 2006-74.

1007.272  Joint dual enrollment and advanced placement instruction.--

(1)  Each school district, community college, and state university may conduct advanced placement instruction within dual enrollment courses. Each joint dual enrollment and advanced placement course shall be incorporated within and subject to the provisions of the district interinstitutional articulation agreement pursuant to s. 1007.235. Such agreement shall certify that each joint dual enrollment and advanced placement course integrates, at a minimum, the course structure recommended by the College Board and the structure that corresponds to the common course number.

(2)  Each student enrolled in a joint dual enrollment and advanced placement course may be funded pursuant to either the dual enrollment or advanced placement formula specified in s. 1011.62; however, no student shall be funded through both programs for enrollment in a course provided through this section. The district school board reporting enrollments for such courses shall utilize the funding formula that more closely approximates the cost of conducting the course. No student shall be reported for advanced placement funding who fails to meet the examination requirement for such funding.

(3)  Postsecondary credit for student completion of a joint dual enrollment and advanced placement course shall be awarded, based on the stated preference of the student, as either dual enrollment or advanced placement credit; however, an award of advanced placement credit shall be limited to students who score a minimum of 3, on a 5-point scale, on the Advanced Placement Examination. No student shall claim double credit based on the completion of a single joint dual enrollment and advanced placement course, nor shall any student enrolled pursuant to this section be required to complete the Advanced Placement Examination.

History.--s. 358, ch. 2002-387.

1007.28  Computer-assisted student advising system.--The Department of Education, in conjunction with the Board of Governors, shall establish and maintain a single, statewide computer-assisted student advising system, which must be an integral part of the process of advising, registering, and certifying students for graduation and must be accessible to all Florida students. The state universities and community colleges shall interface institutional systems with the computer-assisted advising system required by this section. The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall specify in the statewide articulation agreement required by s. 1007.23(1) the roles and responsibilities of the department, the state universities, and the community colleges in the design, implementation, promotion, development, and analysis of the system. The system shall consist of a degree audit and an articulation component that includes the following characteristics:

(1)  The system shall constitute an integral part of the process of advising students and assisting them in course selection. The system shall be accessible to students in the following ways:

(a)  A student must be able to access the system, at any time, to identify course options that will meet the requirements of a selected path toward a degree.

(b)  A status report from the system shall be generated and sent with each grade report to each student enrolled in public postsecondary educational institutions with a declared major.

(2)  The system shall be an integral part of the registration process at public postsecondary educational institutions. As part of the process, the system shall:

(a)  Provide reports that document each student's status toward completion of a degree.

(b)  Verify that a student has completed requirements for graduation.

(3)  The system must provide students information related to career descriptions and corresponding educational requirements, admissions requirements, and available sources of student financial assistance. Such advising must enable students to examine their interests and aptitudes for the purpose of curricular and career planning.

(4)  The system must provide management information to decisionmakers, including information relating student enrollment patterns and course demands to plans for corresponding course offerings and information useful in planning the student registration process.

History.--s. 359, ch. 2002-387; s. 121, ch. 2007-217.

1007.33  Site-determined baccalaureate degree access.

1007.34  College reach-out program.

1007.35  Florida Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student Achievement.

1007.33  Site-determined baccalaureate degree access.--

(1)  The Legislature recognizes that public and private postsecondary educational institutions play essential roles in improving the quality of life and economic well-being of the state and its residents. The Legislature also recognizes that economic development needs and the educational needs of place-bound, nontraditional students have increased the demand for local access to baccalaureate degree programs. In some, but not all, geographic regions, baccalaureate degree programs are being delivered successfully at the local community college through agreements between the community college and 4-year postsecondary institutions within or outside of the state. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to further expand access to baccalaureate degree programs through the use of community colleges.

(2)  A community college may enter into a formal agreement pursuant to the provisions of s. 1007.22 for the delivery of specified baccalaureate degree programs.

(3)(a)  A community college may develop a proposal to deliver specified baccalaureate degree programs in its district to meet local workforce needs. A community college may also develop proposals to deliver baccalaureate degree programs in math and science which would prepare graduates to enter a teaching position in math or science.

(b)  The community college's proposal must be submitted to the State Board of Education for approval.

(c)  The community college's proposal must include the following information:

1.  Demand for the baccalaureate degree program is identified by the workforce development board, local businesses and industry, local chambers of commerce, and potential students.

2.  Unmet need for graduates of the proposed degree program is substantiated.

3.  The community college has the facilities and academic resources to deliver the program.

(d)  A community college that plans to submit a proposal pursuant to this subsection shall submit notice of its intent to the State Board of Education, including a brief description of the program that will be proposed and an estimated timeframe for implementation, at least 90 days prior to submitting the proposal. The State Board of Education shall advise state universities and each regionally accredited private college and university that is chartered in and has its primary campus located in the state of the community college's notice of intent. State universities shall have 60 days to submit an alternative proposal to offer the baccalaureate degree program on the community college campus. If the state board does not receive a proposal from a state university within the 60-day time period or if the university proposal is not approved, the state board shall provide the regionally accredited private colleges and universities 30 days to submit an alternative proposal. An alternative proposal must adequately address:

1.  The extent to which students will be able to complete the degree in the community college district.

2.  The level of financial commitment of the college or university to the development, implementation, and maintenance of the specified degree program, including timelines.

3.  The extent to which faculty at both the community college and the college or university will collaborate in the development and offering of the curriculum.

4.  The ability of the community college and the college or university to develop and approve the curriculum for the specified degree program within 6 months after an agreement between the community college and the college or university is signed.

5.  The extent to which the student may incur additional costs above what the student would expect to incur if the program were offered by the community college.

(e)  The State Board of Education must consider the alternative proposals in making its decision to approve or deny a community college's proposal.

(f)  If no alternative proposal is received or approved and the State Board of Education determines that a community college proposal is deficient, the state board must notify the community college of the deficiencies in writing and provide the community college the opportunity to correct the deficiencies.

(g)  Upon approval of the State Board of Education for the specific degree program or programs, the community college shall pursue regional accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

(h)  Any additional baccalaureate degree programs the community college wishes to offer must be approved by the State Board of Education.

(i)  Approval by the State Board of Education of a community college proposal to deliver a specified baccalaureate degree program does not alter the governance relationship of the community college with its local board of trustees or the State Board of Education.

(4)  A community college may not terminate its associate in arts or associate in science degree programs as a result of the authorization provided in subsection (3). The Legislature intends that the primary mission of a community college, including a community college that offers baccalaureate degree programs, continues to be the provision of associate degrees that provide access to a university.

History.--s. 363, ch. 2002-387; s. 122, ch. 2007-217; s. 7, ch. 2007-246.

1007.34  College reach-out program.--

(1)  There is established a college reach-out program to increase the number of low-income educationally disadvantaged students in grades 6-12 who, upon high school graduation, are admitted to and successfully complete postsecondary education. Participants should be students who otherwise would be unlikely to seek admission to a community college, state university, or independent postsecondary institution without special support and recruitment efforts. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules that provide for the following:

(a)  Definition of "low-income educationally disadvantaged student."

(b)  Specific criteria and guidelines for selection of college reach-out participants.

(2)  In developing the definition for "low-income educationally disadvantaged student," the State Board of Education shall include such factors as: the family's taxable income; family receipt of temporary cash assistance in the preceding year; family receipt of public assistance in the preceding year; the student's cumulative grade point average; the student's promotion and attendance patterns; the student's performance on state standardized tests; the student's enrollment in mathematics and science courses; and the student's participation in a dropout prevention program.

(3)  To participate in the college reach-out program, a postsecondary educational institution may submit a proposal to the Department of Education. The State Board of Education shall consider the proposals and determine which proposals to implement as programs that will strengthen the educational motivation and preparation of low-income educationally disadvantaged students.

(4)  Postsecondary educational institutions that participate in the program must provide procedures for continuous contact with students from the point at which they are selected for participation until they enroll in a postsecondary educational institution. These procedures must assist students in selecting courses required for graduation from high school and admission to a postsecondary educational institution and ensure that students continue to participate in program activities. Institutions that participate must provide on-campus academic and advisory activities during summer vacation and provide opportunities for interacting with college and university students as mentors, tutors, or role models. Proposals submitted by universities and consortia involving universities must provide students with an opportunity to live on campus.

(5)  In selecting proposals for approval, the State Board of Education shall give preference to:

(a)  Proposals submitted jointly by two or more eligible postsecondary educational institutions.

(b)  A program that will use institutional, federal, or private resources to supplement state appropriations.

(c)  An applicant that has demonstrated success in conducting similar programs.

(d)  A program that includes innovative approaches, provides a great variety of activities, and includes a large percentage of low-income educationally disadvantaged minority students in the college reach-out program.

(e)  An applicant that demonstrates commitment to the program by proposing to match the grant funds at least one-to-one in cash or services, with cash being the preferred match.

(f)  An applicant that demonstrates an interest in cultural diversity and that addresses the unmet regional needs of varying communities.

(6)  A participating postsecondary educational institution is encouraged to use its resources to meet program objectives. A participating postsecondary educational institution must establish an advisory committee composed of high school and middle school personnel, as well as community leaders, to provide advice and assistance in implementing its program.

(7)  A proposal must contain the following information:

(a)  A statement of purpose that includes a description of the need for, and the results expected from, the proposed program.

(b)  An identification of the service area that names the schools to be served, provides community and school demographics, and sets forth the postsecondary enrollment rates of high school graduates within the area.

(c)  An identification of existing programs for enhancing the academic performance of minority and low-income educationally disadvantaged students for enrollment in postsecondary education.

(d)  A description of the proposed program that describes criteria to be used to identify schools for participation in the program. At least 60 percent of the students recruited in any one year must be in grades 6-9.

(e)  A description of the program activities that must support the following goals:

1.  Motivate students to pursue a postsecondary education.

2.  Enhance students' basic learning skills and performance.

3.  Strengthen students' and parents' understanding of the benefits of postsecondary education.

4.  Foster academic, personal, and career development through supplemental instruction.

(f)  An evaluation component that provides for the collection, maintenance, retrieval, and analysis of the data required by this paragraph. The data must be used to assess the extent to which programs have accomplished specific objectives and achieved the goals of the college reach-out program. The Department of Education shall develop specifications and procedures for the collection and transmission of the data. The annual project evaluation component must contain:

1.  The student identification number and social security number, if available; the name of the public school attended; gender; ethnicity; grade level; and grade point average of each participant at the time of entry into the program.

2.  The grade point average, grade, and promotion status of each of the participants in the program at the end of the academic year and any suspension or expulsion of a participant, if applicable.

3.  The number and percentage of high school participants who satisfactorily complete 2 sequential years of a foreign language and Level 2 and 3 mathematics and science courses.

4.  The number and percentage of participants eligible for high school graduation who receive a standard high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma, pursuant to s. 1003.435.

5.  The number and percentage of 12th grade participants who are accepted for enrollment and who enroll in a postsecondary educational institution.

6.  The number of participants who receive scholarships, grant aid, and work-study awards.

7.  The number and percentage of participants who enroll in a public postsecondary educational institution and who fail to achieve a passing score, as defined in State Board of Education rule, on college placement tests pursuant to s. 1008.30.

8.  The number and percentage of participants who enroll in a postsecondary educational institution and have a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale by the end of the second semester.

9.  The number of disabled students participating in the project and the nature of their disabilities.

(8)  Proposals must be funded competitively in accordance with the following methodology:

(a)  The funds appropriated must be distributed to projects on the basis of minimum standards that include:

1.  A summer residency program of at least 1 week in duration.

2.  A minimum number of hours of academic instructional and developmental activities, career counseling, and personal counseling.

(b)  Subject to legislative appropriations, continuation projects that satisfy the minimum requirements should have their funds increased each year by the same percentage as the rate of inflation. Projects funded for 3 consecutive years should have a cumulative institutional cash match of not less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project over the 3-year period. Any college reach-out program project operating for 3 years which does not provide the minimum 50-percent institutional cash match must not be considered for continued funding.

(9)  The Commissioner of Education shall appoint an advisory council to review the proposals and recommend to the State Board of Education an order of priority for funding the proposals.

(10)  On or before February 15 of each year, each participating institution shall submit to the Department of Education an interim report containing program expenditures and participant information as required in State Board of Education rules.

(11)  On or before November 1 of each year, postsecondary educational institutions participating in the program shall submit to the Department of Education an end-of-the-year report on the effectiveness of their participation in the program. The end-of-the-year report must include, without limitation:

(a)  A copy of the certificate-of-expenditures form showing expenditures by category, state grant funds, and institutional matching in cash and in-kind services.

(b)  A listing of students participating in the program by grade level, gender, and race.

(c)  A statement of how the program addresses the four program goals identified in paragraph (7)(e).

(d)  A brief description and analysis of program characteristics and activities critical to program success.

(e)  A description of the cooperation received from other units or organizations.

(f)  An explanation of the program's outcomes, including data related to student performance on the measures provided for in paragraph (7)(f).

(12)  By February 15 of each year, the Department of Education shall submit to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Commissioner of Education, and the Governor a report that evaluates the effectiveness of the college reach-out program. To the extent feasible, the performance of college reach-out program participants must be compared to the performance of comparable cohorts of students in public school and postsecondary education.

(13)  Funding for the college reach-out program shall be provided in the General Appropriations Act.

History.--s. 364, ch. 2002-387.

1007.35  Florida Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student Achievement.--

(1)  This section may be referred to by the popular name the "Florida Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student Achievement Act."

(2)(a)  The Legislature recognizes the importance of not only access to college but also success in college for all students. It is the intent of the Legislature that every student enrolled in a public secondary school has access to high-quality, rigorous academics, with a particular focus on access to advanced courses.

(b)  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide assistance to all public secondary schools, with a primary focus on low-performing middle and high schools.

(c)  It is the intent of the Legislature that the partnership created in this section accomplish its mission primarily through strengthening the content knowledge of teachers and providing instructional resources, including materials and strategies, which enable teachers to provide instruction to students who have diverse learning styles.

(3)  There is created the Florida Partnership for Minority and Underrepresented Student Achievement. The Department of Education may contract for operation of the partnership.

(4)  The mission of the partnership is to prepare, inspire, and connect students to postsecondary success and opportunity, with a particular focus on minority students and students who are underrepresented in postsecondary education.

(5)  Each public high school, including, but not limited to, schools and alternative sites and centers of the Department of Juvenile Justice, shall provide for the administration of the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), or Preliminary ACT (PLAN) to all enrolled 10th grade students. However, a written notice shall be provided to each parent that shall include the opportunity to exempt his or her child from taking the PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN.

(a)  Test results will provide each high school with a database of student assessment data which guidance counselors will use to identify students who are prepared or who need additional work to be prepared to enroll and be successful in AP courses or other advanced high school courses.

(b)  Funding for the PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN for all 10th grade students shall be contingent upon annual funding in the General Appropriations Act.

(c)  Public school districts must choose either the PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN for districtwide administration.

(6)  The partnership shall:

(a)  Provide teacher training and professional development to enable teachers of AP or other advanced courses to have the necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students for success on AP or other advanced course examinations and mastery of postsecondary course content.

(b)  Provide to middle school teachers and administrators professional development that will enable them to educate middle school students at the level necessary to prepare the students to enter high school ready to participate in advanced courses.

(c)  Provide teacher training and materials that are aligned with the Sunshine State Standards and are consistent with best theory and practice regarding multiple learning styles and research on learning, instructional strategies, instructional design, and classroom assessment. Curriculum materials must be based on current, accepted, and essential academic knowledge. Materials for prerequisite courses should, at a minimum, address the skills assessed on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

(d)  Provide assessment of individual strengths and weaknesses as related to potential success in AP or other advanced courses and readiness for college.

(e)  Provide college entrance exam preparation through a variety of means that may include, but are not limited to, training teachers to provide courses at schools; training community organizations to provide courses at community centers, faith-based organizations, and businesses; and providing online courses.

(f)  Consider ways to incorporate community colleges in the mission of preparing all students for postsecondary success.

(g)  Provide a plan for communication and coordination of efforts with the Florida Virtual School's provision of online AP or other advanced courses.

(h)  Work with school districts to identify minority and underrepresented students for participation in AP or other advanced courses.

(i)  Work with school districts to provide information to students and parents that explains available opportunities for students to take AP and other advanced courses and that explains enrollment procedures that students must follow to enroll in such courses. Such information must also explain the value of such courses as they relate to:

1.  Preparing the student for postsecondary level coursework.

2.  Enabling the student to gain access to postsecondary education opportunities.

3.  Qualifying for scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.

(j)  Provide information to students, parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, districts, community colleges, and state universities regarding PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN administration, including, but not limited to:

1.  Test administration dates and times.

2.  That participation in the PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN is open to all grade 10 students.

3.  The value of such tests in providing diagnostic feedback on student skills.

4.  The value of student scores in predicting the probability of success on AP or other advanced course examinations.

(k)  Cooperate with the department to provide information to administrators, teachers, and counselors, whenever possible, about partnership activities, opportunities, and priorities.

(7)  By May 31 of each year, the Department of Education shall approve a plan of delivery of services for the subsequent academic year.

(8)(a)  By September 30 of each year, the partnership shall submit to the department a report that contains an evaluation of the effectiveness of the delivered services and activities. Activities and services must be evaluated on their effectiveness at raising student achievement and increasing the number of AP or other advanced course examinations in low-performing middle and high schools. Other indicators that must be addressed in the evaluation report include the number of middle and high school teachers trained; the effectiveness of the training; measures of postsecondary readiness of the students affected by the program; levels of participation in 10th grade PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN testing; and measures of student, parent, and teacher awareness of and satisfaction with the services of the partnership.

(b)  The department shall contribute to the evaluation process by providing access, consistent with s. 119.071(5)(a), to student and teacher information necessary to match against databases containing teacher professional development data and databases containing assessment data for the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, AP, and other appropriate measures. The department shall also provide student-level data on student progress from middle school through high school and into college and the workforce, if available, in order to support longitudinal studies. The partnership shall analyze and report student performance data in a manner that protects the rights of students and parents as required in 20 U.S.C. s. 1232g and s. 1002.22.

(9)(a)  Funding for the partnership shall be contingent upon annual funding in the General Appropriations Act.

(b)  The participating partner, if one is chosen, is required to match at least one-third of the allocation provided to the partnership in the General Appropriations Act in materials and services to the program.

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

(11)  Nothing in this section shall prohibit any organization from partnering with the state to improve the college readiness of students.

History.--s. 1, ch. 2004-63; s. 53, ch. 2005-251; s. 2, ch. 2006-285; s. 1, ch. 2007-131.