6A-10.02413. Civic Literacy Competency

(1) Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, first-time-in-college students entering a Florida College System institution between the 2018-19 to 2020-21 school year must demonstrate competency in civic literacy through one of the following options prior to graduation:

(a) Successfully passing either POSX041 American Government or AMHX020 Introductory Survey Since 1877. Each of the courses must include the following competencies:

1. Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government;

2. An understanding of the United States Constitution and its application;

3. Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government; and

4. An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.

(b) Achieving the standard score on one of the following assessments:

Assessment              Standard Score

AP Government and Politics: United States              3

AP United States History              4

CLEP: American Government              50

(2) Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the 2021-22 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by completing paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b) prior to graduation. Prior to the award of an associate in science or associate in applied science degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the 2022-23 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by completing paragraphs (2)(a) and (2)(b) prior to graduation.

(a) Successfully passing either POSX041 American Government or AMHX020 Introductory Survey Since 1877. Each of the courses must include the following competencies:

1. Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government;

2. An understanding of the United States Constitution and its application;

3. Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government; and

4. An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.

(b) Achieving the standard score on one of the following assessments:

Assessment              Standard Score

AP Government and Politics: United States              3

AP United States History              4

CLEP: American Government              50

Florida Civic Literacy Examination              60%

(3) Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, Florida College System institutions must ensure they provide opportunities for students to engage synchronously in political discussions and civil debates with multiple points of view and to master the ability to synthesize information that informs civic decision making.

(4) Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, credit received by examination under subsection 6A-10.024(8), F.A.C., for courses listed in paragraph (2)(a) will count toward meeting the course requirement.

(5) Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, students who earned a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination while in high school are exempt from the postsecondary civic literacy assessment requirement.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1007.25(5)(a)-(b) FS. Law Implemented 1007.25 FS. History–New 6-19-18, Amended 11-23-21, 5-3-22.