HB 1503

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to health education; amending s. 1003.428,
3	F.S.; providing for a mandatory one-half credit in health
4	education, independent of physical education credit
5	requirements, for high school students; providing a waiver
6	for students who request to take and successfully complete
7	a health education assessment developed by the Department
8	of Education; reducing the number of credits in elective
9	courses; providing an effective date.
10
11	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
12
13	Section 1.  Subsection (2) of section 1003.428, Florida
14	Statutes, is amended to read:
15	1003.428  General requirements for high school graduation;
16	revised.--
17	(2)  The 24 credits may be earned through applied,
18	integrated, and combined courses approved by the Department of
19	Education and shall be distributed as follows:
20	(a)  Sixteen and one-half core curriculum credits:
21	1.  Four credits in English, with major concentration in
22	composition, reading for information, and literature.
23	2.  Four credits in mathematics, one of which must be
24	Algebra I, a series of courses equivalent to Algebra I, or a
25	higher-level mathematics course. School districts are encouraged
26	to set specific goals to increase enrollments in, and successful
27	completion of, geometry and Algebra II.
28	3.  Three credits in science, two of which must have a
29	laboratory component.
30	4.  Three credits in social studies as follows: one credit
31	in American history; one credit in world history; one-half
32	credit in economics; and one-half credit in American government.
33	5.  One credit in fine or performing arts, speech and
34	debate, or a practical arts course that incorporates artistic
35	content and techniques of creativity, interpretation, and
36	imagination. Eligible practical arts courses shall be identified
37	through the Course Code Directory.
38	6.  One credit in physical education to include integration
39	of health. Participation in an interscholastic sport at the
40	junior varsity or varsity level for two full seasons shall
41	satisfy the one-credit requirement in physical education if the
42	student passes a competency test on personal fitness with a
43	score of "C" or better. The competency test on personal fitness
44	must be developed by the Department of Education. A district
45	school board may not require that the one credit in physical
46	education be taken during the 9th grade year. Completion of one
47	semester with a grade of "C" or better in a marching band class,
48	in a physical activity class that requires participation in
49	marching band activities as an extracurricular activity, or in a
50	dance class shall satisfy one-half credit in physical education
51	or one-half credit in performing arts. This credit may not be
52	used to satisfy the personal fitness requirement or the
53	requirement for adaptive physical education under an individual
54	education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Completion of 2 years in a
55	Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) class, a significant
56	component of which is drills, shall satisfy the one-credit
57	requirement in physical education and the one-credit requirement
58	in performing arts. This credit may not be used to satisfy the
59	personal fitness requirement or the requirement for adaptive
60	physical education under an individual education plan (IEP) or
61	504 plan.
62	7.  One-half credit in health education. The health
63	education requirement may be waived if the student requests to
64	take the health education assessment and scores a "C" or better.
65	The Department of Education shall develop the health education
66	assessment.
67	(b)  Seven and one-half Eight credits in majors, minors, or
68	electives:
69	1.  Four credits in a major area of interest, such as
70	sequential courses in a career and technical program, fine and
71	performing arts, or academic content area, selected by the
72	student as part of the education plan required by s. 1003.4156.
73	Students may revise major areas of interest each year as part of
74	annual course registration processes and should update their
75	education plan to reflect such revisions. Annually By October 1
76	of each year, the district school board shall approve major
77	areas of interest and submit the list of majors to the
78	Commissioner of Education for approval. Each major area of
79	interest is shall be deemed approved unless specifically
80	rejected by the commissioner within 60 days after the list of
81	majors is received. Upon approval, each district's major areas
82	of interest shall be available for use by all school districts
83	and shall be posted on the department's website.
84	2.  Three and one-half Four credits in elective courses
85	selected by the student as part of the education plan required
86	by s. 1003.4156. These credits may be combined to allow for a
87	second major area of interest pursuant to subparagraph 1., a
88	minor area of interest, elective courses, or intensive reading
89	or mathematics intervention courses as described in this
90	subparagraph.
91	a.  Minor areas of interest are composed of three credits
92	selected by the student as part of the education plan required
93	by s. 1003.4156 and approved by the district school board.
94	b.  Elective courses are selected by the student in order
95	to pursue a complete education program as described in s.
96	1001.41(3) and to meet eligibility requirements for
97	scholarships.
98	c.  For each year in which a student scores at Level l on
99	FCAT Reading, the student must be enrolled in and complete an
100	intensive reading course the following year. Placement of Level
101	2 readers in either an intensive reading course or a content
102	area course in which reading strategies are delivered shall be
103	determined by diagnosis of reading needs. The department shall
104	provide guidance on appropriate strategies for diagnosing and
105	meeting the varying instructional needs of students reading
106	below grade level. Reading courses shall be designed and offered
107	pursuant to the comprehensive reading plan required by s.
108	1011.62(9).
109	d.  For each year in which a student scores at Level 1 or
110	Level 2 on FCAT Mathematics, the student must receive
111	remediation the following year. These courses may be taught
112	through applied, integrated, or combined courses and are subject
113	to approval by the department for inclusion in the Course Code
114	Directory.
115	Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.