Florida Senate - 2009                          SENATOR AMENDMENT
       Bill No. HB 7087, 2nd Eng.
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Barcode 413008                          
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
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                 Floor: WD/2R          .                                
             04/30/2009 02:05 PM       .                                
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       Senator Wise moved the following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 1003.413, Florida
    6  Statutes, is amended to read:
    7         1003.413 Florida Secondary School Redesign Act.—
    8         (1) For purposes of this section, the term “secondary
    9  school” means a school that serves Secondary schools are schools
   10  that primarily serve students in grades 6 through 12. A
   11  secondary school does not include an elementary school serving
   12  students only through grade 6. It is the intent of the
   13  Legislature to provide for secondary school redesign so that
   14  students promoted from the 8th grade have the necessary academic
   15  skills for success in high school and students graduating from
   16  high school have the necessary skills for success in the
   17  workplace and postsecondary education.
   18         Section 2. Subsection (5) of section 1003.413, Florida
   19  Statutes, is repealed.
   20         Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
   21  1003.4156, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   22         1003.4156 General requirements for middle grades
   23  promotion.—
   24         (1) Beginning with students entering grade 6 in the 2006
   25  2007 school year, promotion from a school composed of middle
   26  grades 6, 7, and 8 requires that:
   27         (a) The student must successfully complete academic courses
   28  as follows:
   29         1. Three middle school or higher courses in English. These
   30  courses shall emphasize literature, composition, and technical
   31  text.
   32         2. Three middle school or higher courses in mathematics.
   33  Each middle school must offer at least one high school level
   34  mathematics course for which students may earn high school
   35  credit.
   36         3. Three middle school or higher courses in social studies,
   37  one semester of which must include the study of state and
   38  federal government and civics education.
   39         4. Three middle school or higher courses in science.
   40         5. One course in career and education planning to be
   41  completed in 7th or 8th grade. The course may be taught by any
   42  member of the instructional staff; must include career
   43  exploration using Florida CHOICES for the 21st Century or a
   44  comparable cost-effective program; must include educational
   45  planning using the online student advising system known as
   46  Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students at the
   47  Internet website FACTS.org; and shall result in the completion
   48  of a personalized academic and career plan.
   49  
   50  Each school must hold a parent meeting either in the evening or
   51  on a weekend to inform parents about the course curriculum and
   52  activities. Each student shall complete an electronic personal
   53  education plan that must be signed by the student; the student’s
   54  instructor, guidance counselor, or academic advisor; and the
   55  student’s parent. By January 1, 2007, The Department of
   56  Education shall develop course frameworks and professional
   57  development materials for the career exploration and education
   58  planning course. The course may be implemented as a stand-alone
   59  course or integrated into another course or courses. The
   60  Commissioner of Education shall collect longitudinal high school
   61  course enrollment data by student ethnicity in order to analyze
   62  course-taking patterns.
   63         Section 4. Subsection (1), paragraph (c) of subsection (7),
   64  and subsection (8) of section 1003.429, Florida Statutes, are
   65  amended to read:
   66         1003.429 Accelerated high school graduation options.—
   67         (1) Students who enter grade 9 in the 2006-2007 school year
   68  and thereafter may select, upon receipt of each consent required
   69  by this section, one of the following three high school
   70  graduation options:
   71         (a) Completion of the general requirements for high school
   72  graduation pursuant to s. 1003.428 or s. 1003.43, as applicable;
   73         (b) Completion of a 3-year standard college preparatory
   74  program requiring successful completion of a minimum of 18
   75  academic credits in grades 9 through 12. At least 6 of the 18
   76  credits required for completion of this program must be received
   77  in classes that are offered pursuant to the International
   78  Baccalaureate Program, the Advanced Placement Program, dual
   79  enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of Education, or
   80  specifically listed or identified by the Department of Education
   81  as rigorous pursuant to s. 1009.531(3). The 18 credits required
   82  for completion of this program shall be primary requirements and
   83  shall be distributed as follows:
   84         1. Four credits in English, with major concentration in
   85  composition and literature;
   86         2. Three credits in mathematics at the Algebra I level or
   87  higher from the list of courses that qualify for state
   88  university admission. Beginning with students who enter grade 9
   89  in the 2009-2010 school year, four credits in mathematics at the
   90  Algebra I level or higher from the list of courses that qualify
   91  for state university admission;
   92         3. Three credits in natural science, two of which must have
   93  a laboratory component;
   94         4. Three credits in social sciences, which must include one
   95  credit in American history, one credit in world history, one
   96  half credit in American government, and one-half credit in
   97  economics;
   98         5. Two credits in the same second language unless the
   99  student is a native speaker of or can otherwise demonstrate
  100  competency in a language other than English. If the student
  101  demonstrates competency in another language, the student may
  102  replace the language requirement with two credits in other
  103  academic courses; and
  104         6. Three credits in electives. Beginning with students who
  105  enter grade 9 in the 2009-2010 school year, two credits in
  106  electives; or
  107         (c) Completion of a 3-year career preparatory program
  108  requiring successful completion of a minimum of 18 academic
  109  credits in grades 9 through 12. The 18 credits shall be primary
  110  requirements and shall be distributed as follows:
  111         1. Four credits in English, with major concentration in
  112  composition and literature;
  113         2. Three credits in mathematics, one of which must be
  114  Algebra I;
  115         3. Three credits in natural science, two of which must have
  116  a laboratory component;
  117         4. Three credits in social sciences, which must include one
  118  credit in American history, one credit in world history, one
  119  half credit in American government, and one-half credit in
  120  economics;
  121         5. Three credits in a single vocational or career education
  122  program, three credits in career and technical certificate dual
  123  enrollment courses, or five credits in vocational or career
  124  education courses; and
  125         6. Two credits in electives unless five credits are earned
  126  pursuant to subparagraph 5.
  127  
  128  Any student who selected an accelerated graduation program
  129  before July 1, 2004, may continue that program, and all
  130  statutory program requirements that were applicable when the
  131  student made the program choice shall remain applicable to the
  132  student as long as the student continues that program.
  133         (7) If, at the end of grade 10, a student is not on track
  134  to meet the credit, assessment, or grade-point-average
  135  requirements of the accelerated graduation option selected, the
  136  school shall notify the student and parent of the following:
  137         (c) The right of the student to change to the 4-year
  138  program set forth in s. 1003.428 or s. 1003.43, as applicable.
  139         (8) A student who selected one of the accelerated 3-year
  140  graduation options shall automatically move to the 4-year
  141  program set forth in s. 1003.428 or s. 1003.43, as applicable,
  142  if the student:
  143         (a) Exercises his or her right to change to the 4-year
  144  program;
  145         (b) Fails to earn 5 credits by the end of grade 9 or fails
  146  to earn 11 credits by the end of grade 10;
  147         (c) Does not achieve a score of 3 or higher on the grade 10
  148  FCAT Writing assessment; or
  149         (d) By the end of grade 11 does not meet the requirements
  150  of subsections (1) and (6).
  151         Section 5. Subsection (1) and paragraph (f) of subsection
  152  (4) of section 1003.621, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  153         1003.621 Academically high-performing school districts.—It
  154  is the intent of the Legislature to recognize and reward school
  155  districts that demonstrate the ability to consistently maintain
  156  or improve their high-performing status. The purpose of this
  157  section is to provide high-performing school districts with
  158  flexibility in meeting the specific requirements in statute and
  159  rules of the State Board of Education.
  160         (1) ACADEMICALLY HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT.—
  161         (a) The State Board of Education shall annually designate a
  162  school district as is an academically high-performing school
  163  district if the district it meets the following criteria:
  164         1.a. Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, earns a
  165  grade of “A” under s. 1008.34(7) for 2 consecutive years; and
  166         b. Has no district-operated school that earns a grade of
  167  “F” under s. 1008.34;
  168         2. Complies with all class size requirements in s. 1, Art.
  169  IX of the State Constitution and s. 1003.03; and
  170         3. Has no material weaknesses or instances of material
  171  noncompliance noted in the annual financial audit conducted
  172  pursuant to s. 218.39.
  173         (b) Each school district that satisfies the eligibility
  174  criteria in this subsection shall be designated by The State
  175  Board of Education shall designate a school district as an
  176  academically high-performing school district at the next State
  177  Board of Education meeting occurring on or after February 1 of
  178  each year. The designation is effective beginning with the
  179  following school year and remains effective through the entire
  180  school year. With the exception of the statutes listed in
  181  subsection (2), upon designation as an academically high
  182  performing school district, each such district is exempt from
  183  the provisions in chapters 1000-1013 which pertain to school
  184  districts and rules of the State Board of Education which
  185  implement these exempt provisions. This exemption remains in
  186  effect during the time of the designation if the district
  187  continues to meet all eligibility criteria.
  188         (c)The academically high-performing school district shall
  189  retain the designation as a high-performing school district for
  190  3 years, at the end of which time the district may renew the
  191  designation if the district meets the requirements in this
  192  section. A school district that fails to meet the requirements
  193  in this section shall provide written notification to the State
  194  Board of Education that the district is no longer eligible to be
  195  designated as an academically high-performing school district.
  196         (c)(d) In order to annually maintain the designation as an
  197  academically high-performing school district pursuant to this
  198  section, a school district must meet the following requirements:
  199         1. Comply with the provisions of sub-subparagraph (a)1.b.
  200  and subparagraphs(a)2. and 3.; and
  201         2. Earn a grade of “A” under s. 1008.34(7) for 2 years
  202  within a 3-year period.
  203  
  204  However, a district in which a district-operated school earns a
  205  grade of “F” under s. 1008.34 during the 3-year period may not
  206  continue to be designated as an academically high-performing
  207  school district during the remainder of that 3-year period. The
  208  district must meet the criteria in paragraph (a) in order to be
  209  redesignated as an academically high-performing school district.
  210         (4) REPORTS.—The academically high-performing school
  211  district shall submit to the State Board of Education and the
  212  Legislature an annual report on December 1 which delineates the
  213  performance of the school district relative to the academic
  214  performance of students at each grade level in reading, writing,
  215  mathematics, science, and any other subject that is included as
  216  a part of the statewide assessment program in s. 1008.22. The
  217  annual report shall be submitted in a format prescribed by the
  218  Department of Education and shall include, but need not be
  219  limited to, the following:
  220         (f) A list of each statute and rule that the district did
  221  not comply with, pursuant to paragraph (1)(b) description of
  222  each waiver and the status of each waiver.
  223         Section 6. Paragraph (b) of subsection (8) of section
  224  1008.25, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  225         1008.25 Public school student progression; remedial
  226  instruction; reporting requirements.—
  227         (8) ANNUAL REPORT.—
  228         (b) Each district school board must annually publish in the
  229  local newspaper or on the district school board’s Internet
  230  website, and submit a corresponding link report in writing to
  231  the State Board of Education by October 1 September 1 of each
  232  year, the following information on the prior school year:
  233         1. The provisions of this section relating to public school
  234  student progression and the district school board’s policies and
  235  procedures on student retention and promotion.
  236         2. By grade, the number and percentage of all students in
  237  grades 3 through 10 performing at Levels 1 and 2 on the reading
  238  portion of the FCAT.
  239         3. By grade, the number and percentage of all students
  240  retained in grades 3 through 10.
  241         4. Information on the total number of students who were
  242  promoted for good cause, by each category of good cause as
  243  specified in paragraph (6)(b).
  244         5. Any revisions to the district school board’s policy on
  245  student retention and promotion from the prior year.
  246         Section 7. Subsection (4) of section 1008.36, Florida
  247  Statutes, is amended to read:
  248         1008.36 Florida School Recognition Program.—
  249         (4) All selected schools shall receive financial awards
  250  depending on the availability of funds appropriated and the
  251  number and size of schools selected to receive an award. Funds
  252  must be distributed to the school’s fiscal agent and placed in
  253  the school’s account and must be used for purposes listed in
  254  subsection (5) as determined jointly by the school’s staff and
  255  school advisory council. If school staff and the school advisory
  256  council cannot reach agreement by February 1 November 1, the
  257  awards must be equally distributed to all classroom teachers
  258  currently teaching in the school.
  259  
  260  Notwithstanding statutory provisions to the contrary, incentive
  261  awards are not subject to collective bargaining.
  262         Section 8. Paragraph (b) of subsection (10) of section
  263  1008.22, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
  264         Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.
  265  
  266  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  267         And the title is amended as follows:
  268         Delete everything before the enacting clause
  269  and insert:
  270                        A bill to be entitled                      
  271         An act relating to school improvement and
  272         accountability; amending s. 1003.413, F.S.; redefining
  273         the term “secondary school” to no longer include an
  274         elementary school serving students through grade 6
  275         only; repealing s. 1003.413(5), F.S., relating to a
  276         requirement that the Commissioner of Education create
  277         and implement the Secondary School Improvement Award
  278         Program; amending s. 1003.4156, F.S.; correcting a
  279         cross-reference; amending s. 1003.429, F.S.; revising
  280         provisions relating to accelerated high school
  281         graduation; revising the credits for certain courses
  282         required under the 3-year standard college preparatory
  283         program beginning with students who enter grade 9 in
  284         the 2009-2010 school year; amending s. 1003.621, F.S.;
  285         requiring that the State Board of Education annually
  286         designate school districts as academically high
  287         performing school districts if certain criteria are
  288         met; requiring that such designation occur at the next
  289         meeting of the State Board of Education on or after a
  290         specified date each year; providing that the
  291         designation is effective beginning the following
  292         school year; revising the information that an
  293         academically high-performing school district must
  294         include in its annual report to the State Board of
  295         Education and the Legislature; amending s. 1008.25,
  296         F.S.; requiring that each district school board
  297         annually post certain information on its Internet
  298         website; revising the date that each district school
  299         board is required to report certain information to the
  300         State Board of Education; amending s. 1008.36, F.S.;
  301         revising the date that school staff and the school
  302         advisory council are required to reach an agreement
  303         regarding the distribution of financial awards under
  304         the Florida School Recognition Program; repealing s.
  305         1008.22(10)(b), F.S.; relating to concordance scores
  306         for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test;
  307         providing an effective date.