6A-1.09442. Process and Minimum Standards for the Award of High School Credit for Career and Technical Student Organization Participation

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish a process that enables a school district to award high school credit to a student with demonstrable participation in a career and technical student organization.

(2) Intent. It is the intent of this rule that school districts facilitate opportunities for students in grades 6 through 12 to actively participate in a wide variety of career and technical student organizations that foster development of practical skills, leadership qualities, and overall career readiness.

(3) Definitions.

(a) “Career and technical education program” means a comprehensive program of secondary instruction for which a curriculum framework has been adopted in accordance with Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C.

(b) “Career and technical student organization” or “CTSO” means organizations for students enrolled in a career and technical education program that engages in career and technical education activities as an integral part of the instructional program to develop knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.

(c) “Career and technical student organization advisor” means the instructional personnel, as defined in s. 1012.01(2), F.S., that is responsible for the management of the CTSO chapter and student members at the local level. The advisor is also responsible for student involvement and participation in local, regional, and state CTSO activities. 

(d) “District” means a Florida school district or district school board, a charter school governing board, the Florida Virtual School (s. 1002.37, F.S.), the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (s. 1002.36, F.S.), and Developmental Research (Laboratory) Schools (s. 1002.32, F.S.).

(4) Minimum requirements to receive credit for CTSO participation.

(a) Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, a student in grades 6 through 12 may be awarded one high school credit upon providing his or her school with verifiable documentation showing an accumulation of at least one hundred thirty-five (135) hours of participation in CTSO activities that occur outside of regular class time. The 135-hour threshold may be accumulated over the course of one or more academic years.

(b) To count toward high school credit, CTSO experiences and activities must provide the opportunity for students to apply academic and technical content to career experiences. These activities may include events, projects, competitions, and workshops, including preparation or practice time for such activities, supervised agricultural experiences or any other activity that meets the definition of work-based learning under s. 446.0915, F.S., that is related to a CTSO.

(5) Process for awarding high school credit.

(a) A school district may award one high school credit for demonstrable participation in CTSO activities, in accordance with district policies and its student progression plan under s. 1008.25, F.S.

(b) Credit awarded must satisfy an elective requirement for a standard high school diploma, adult standard high school diploma, or certificate of completion under s. 1003.4282, F.S., or an elective credit for the Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) Option under s. 1002.3105, F.S.

(c) For students pursuing a standard diploma through the career and technical education pathway option under s. 1003.4282, F.S., the high school credit will satisfy one credit in work-based learning.

(d) The school district must use the transfer number provided in the Course Code Directory, adopted in 6A-1.09441, F.A.C., for granting credit that must be recorded on student records and transcripts. Districts must not report the course or credit earned through CTSO participation for funding through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP).

(6) Required Procedures. Districts must develop procedures to evaluate and award high school credit for demonstrable participation in CTSO activities in accordance with this rule. Such procedures must describe:

(a) Acceptable forms of verifiable documentation of demonstrable CTSO participation;

(b) A process for evaluating if a student has achieved the minimum standards to evidence demonstrable CTSO participation;

(c) An explanation of how and when high school credit will be awarded;

(d) A process for students transferring into the district to present verifiable documentation of demonstrable CTSO participation;

(e) Key timelines and deadlines for submission of verifiable documentation; and

(f) Training for CTSO advisors, teachers, and other relevant school-based or school district personnel on the requirements to award credit for CTSO participation.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1003.4282(7)(a)4. FS. Law Implemented 1003.4282, FS. History – New 2-20-24.