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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to health education; amending s. 1003.428,

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F.S.; providing for a mandatory one-half credit in health

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education, independent of physical education credit

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requirements, for all high school students beginning with

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those entering the first year of high school in 2007-2008;

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providing a waiver for students who request to take and

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successfully complete a health assessment created by the

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Department of Education; reducing the number of elective

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courses chosen by students; providing an effective date.  

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Subsection (2) of section 1003.428, Florida

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Statutes, is amended to read:

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     1003.428  General requirements for high school graduation;

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revised.--

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     (2)  The 24 credits may be earned through applied,

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integrated, and combined courses approved by the Department of

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Education and shall be distributed as follows:

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     (a) Sixteen and one-half core curriculum credits:

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     1.  Four credits in English, with major concentration in

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composition, reading for information, and literature.

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     2.  Four credits in mathematics, one of which must be

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Algebra I, a series of courses equivalent to Algebra I, or a

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higher-level mathematics course. School districts are encouraged

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to set specific goals to increase enrollments in, and successful

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completion of, geometry and Algebra II.

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     3.  Three credits in science, two of which must have a

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laboratory component.

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     4.  Three credits in social studies as follows: one credit

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in American history; one credit in world history; one-half credit

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in economics; and one-half credit in American government.

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     5.  One credit in fine or performing arts, which may include

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speech and debate.

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     6. One credit in physical education to include integration

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of health. Participation in an interscholastic sport at the

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junior varsity or varsity level for two full seasons shall

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satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education if the

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student passes a competency test on personal fitness with a score

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of "C" or better. The competency test on personal fitness must be

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developed by the Department of Education. A district school board

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may not require that the one credit in physical education be

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taken during the 9th grade year. Completion of one semester with

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a grade of "C" or better in a marching band class, in a physical

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activity class that requires participation in marching band

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activities as an extracurricular activity, or in a dance class

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shall satisfy one-half credit in physical education or one-half

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credit in performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy

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the personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive

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physical education under an individual education plan (IEP) or

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504 plan. Completion of 2 years in a Reserve Officer Training

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Corps (R.O.T.C.) class, a significant component of which is

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drills, shall satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical

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education and the one-credit requirement in performing arts. This

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credit may not be used to satisfy the personal fitness

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requirement or the requirement for adaptive physical education

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under an individual education plan (IEP) or 504 plan.

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     7. One-half credit in health education. A student may waive

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the health education requirement if the student requests to take

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the health education assessment and scores a "C" or better. The

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Department of Education shall develop the health education

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assessment.

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     (b) Seven and one-half Eight credits in majors, minors, or

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electives:

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     1.  Four credits in a major area of interest, such as

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sequential courses in a career and technical program, fine and

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performing arts, or academic content area, selected by the

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student as part of the education plan required by s. 1003.4156.

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Students may revise major areas of interest each year as part of

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annual course registration processes and should update their

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education plan to reflect such revisions. Annually by October 1,

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the district school board shall approve major areas of interest

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and submit the list of majors to the Commissioner of Education

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for approval. Each major area of interest shall be deemed

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approved unless specifically rejected by the commissioner within

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60 days. Upon approval, each district's major areas of interest

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shall be available for use by all school districts and shall be

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posted on the department's website.

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     2. Three and one-half Four credits in elective courses

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selected by the student as part of the education plan required by

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s. 1003.4156. These credits may be combined to allow for a second

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major area of interest pursuant to subparagraph 1., a minor area

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of interest, elective courses, or intensive reading or

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mathematics intervention courses as described in this

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subparagraph.

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     a.  Minor areas of interest are composed of three credits

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selected by the student as part of the education plan required by

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s. 1003.4156 and approved by the district school board.

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     b.  Elective courses are selected by the student in order to

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pursue a complete education program as described in s. 1001.41(3)

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and to meet eligibility requirements for scholarships.

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     c.  For each year in which a student scores at Level l on

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FCAT Reading, the student must be enrolled in and complete an

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intensive reading course the following year. Placement of Level 2

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readers in either an intensive reading course or a content area

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course in which reading strategies are delivered shall be

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determined by diagnosis of reading needs. The department shall

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provide guidance on appropriate strategies for diagnosing and

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meeting the varying instructional needs of students reading below

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grade level. Reading courses shall be designed and offered

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pursuant to the comprehensive reading plan required by s.

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1011.62(9) s. 1011.62(8).

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     d.  For each year in which a student scores at Level 1 or

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Level 2 on FCAT Mathematics, the student must receive remediation

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the following year. These courses may be taught through applied,

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integrated, or combined courses and are subject to approval by

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the department for inclusion in the Course Code Directory.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.