6A-1.09941. State Uniform Transfer of Students in Middle Grades and High School

The purpose of this rule is to establish uniform procedures relating to the acceptance of transfer work and credit for students entering Florida’s public schools.

(1) The procedures relating to the acceptance of transfer work and courses for students in middle grades 6, 7, and 8 from a private school, a home education program, a personalized education program, out of state or out of country shall be as follows:

(a) Grades earned and offered for acceptance shall be based on official transcripts and shall be accepted at face value subject to validation if required by the receiving school’s accreditation. If validation of the official transcript is deemed necessary, or if the student does not possess an official transcript or is a home education or personalized education program student, successful completion of courses shall be validated through performance during the first grading period as outlined in paragraph (1)(b) of this rule.

(b) Validation of courses shall be based on performance in classes at the receiving school. A student transferring into a school shall be placed at the appropriate sequential course level and should be passing each required course at the end of the first grading period. Students who do not meet this requirement shall have courses validated using the Alternative Validation Procedure, as outlined in paragraph (1)(c) of this rule.

(c) Alternative Validation Procedure. If validation based on performance as described above is not satisfactory, then any one of the following alternatives identified in the district student progression plan shall be used for validation purposes as determined by the teacher, principal and parent:

1. Portfolio evaluation by the superintendent or designee,

2. Demonstrated performance in courses taken at other public or private accredited schools,

3. Demonstrated proficiencies on nationally normed standardized subject area assessments,

4. Demonstrated proficiencies on a statewide, standardized assessment, or

5. Written review of the criteria utilized for a given subject provided by the former school.

(2) The procedures relating to the acceptance of transfer work and credits for students in high school from a private school, a home education program, a personalized education program, out of state or out of country shall be as follows:

(a) Credits and grades earned and offered for acceptance shall be based on official transcripts and shall be accepted at face value subject to validation if required by the receiving school’s accreditation. If validation of the official transcript is deemed necessary, or if the student does not possess an official transcript or is a home education or personalized education program student, credits shall be validated through performance during the first grading period as outlined in paragraph (2)(b) of this rule. Assessment requirements for transfer students under Section 1003.4282, F.S., must be satisfied, except as provided in Section 1003.433, F.S.

(b) Validation of credits shall be based on performance in classes at the receiving school. A student transferring into a school shall be placed at the appropriate sequential course level and should have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 at the end of the first grading period. Students who do not meet this requirement shall have credits validated using the Alternative Validation Procedure, as outlined in paragraph (2)(c) of this rule.

(c) Alternative Validation Procedure. If validation based on performance as described above is not satisfactory, then any one of the following alternatives shall be used for validation purposes as determined by the teacher, principal and parent:

1. Portfolio evaluation by the superintendent or designee,

2. Written recommendation by a Florida certified teacher selected by the parent and approved by the principal,

3. Satisfactory performance in courses taken through dual enrollment or at other public or private accredited schools,

4. Satisfactory performance on nationally normed standardized subject area assessments,

5. Satisfactory performance on a statewide, standardized assessment, or

6. Written review of the criteria utilized for a given subject provided by the former school.

Students must be provided at least ninety (90) days from date of transfer to prepare for assessments outlined in subparagraphs (1)(c)3., and 4. and (2)(c)4. and 5. of this rule if required.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1003.25, 1003.4156(2), 1003.4282(11) FS. Law Implemented 1003.25, 1003.4156, 1003.4282 FS. History–New 8-28-00, Formerly 6-1.099, Amended 9-22-03, 4-30-12, 3-25-14, 8-20-17, 8-27-24.