The purpose of this rule amendment to reflect changes from the 2013 Legislative Session. Section 1003.4285(1), Florida Statutes, was revised to add scholar and merit diploma designation requirements. Section 1003.4282(7), F.S. establishes new ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.0995Form of High School Diplomas and Certificates of Completion

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment to reflect changes from the 2013 Legislative Session. Section 1003.4285(1), F.S., was revised to add scholar and merit diploma designation requirements. Section 1003.4282(7), F.S. establishes new certificate of completion requirements in addition to those outlined in Section 1003.428(7)(b), F.S.

SUMMARY: This rule establishes form of high school diplomas and specifies that districts must provide a scholar and/or merit designation on an eligible student’s diploma.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: Only the format of high school diplomas are amended; no fees, additional costs, or regulations that would cause additional expenses are proposed.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.4282, 1003.438 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.4282, 1003.4285, 1003.438 FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: February 18, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Orlando, Florida (The physical location will be posted on the Department’s website no later than 14 days prior to the meeting at http://www.fldoe.org).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mary Jane Tappen, Deputy Chancellor of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Services, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1502, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.0995 Form of High School Diplomas and Certificates of Completion.

Pursuant to Sections 1003.428, 1003.4282, 1003.43 and 1003.438, F.S., the form of the Standard Diploma, the Special Diploma, State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma, the Certificate of Completion and the Special Certificate of Completion shall contain the wording and be in the form prescribed herein.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Certificate of Completion:

Name of School

City, State

Florida Seal

This certifies that

(Name of Student)

having satisfactorily completed all requirements of law the minimum number of credits for high school graduation and other applicable requirements prescribed by the rules of the District School Board, is hereby awarded this

 

	CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
	by order of the ______________County District School Board
	(Date of Award)
________________		________________
Superintendent		Chairman,
of Schools		School Board
	________________
	Principal

(5) No change.

(6) Districts must determine student eligibility for designations of for each of the following accomplishments and include on standard diplomas issued beginning in July 2013 May 2009 as applicable:

(a) Completion of the scholar designation requirements four credits in the same Major Area of Interest as provided in Section 1003.428, F.S.

(b) Completion of the merit designation requirements four or more accelerated college credit courses in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), or dual enrollment courses, provided that the student is eligible for college credit pursuant to Sections 1007.27 and 1007.271, F.S. Successful passage of AP, IB, and AICE exams are designated in the Articulation Coordinating Committee Credit-by-Exam Equivalencies list available from the Department’s web site at http://www.fldoe.org/articulation/pdf/2007_ACC-CBE.pdf. Successful passage of dual enrollment coursework constitutes a grade of C or better.

(c) Industry certification in accordance with Section 1003.492, F.S., and

(d) Florida Ready to Work Credential in accordance with Section 1004.99, F.S.

(7) Designations may be in the form of a seal, sticker, stamp, or text. There may be no more than four (4) state designations on a diploma (for example, a student who completes four (4) credits in AP courses and four (4) credits in dual enrollment may not get more than one (1) designation for accelerated options); however, districts may choose to combine designations to save space on the diploma. District seals allowed in subsection (7) of this rule must be placed below state designations.

(8) School boards electing to award differentiated diplomas in lieu of the Standard Diploma as authorized in Section 1003.43, F.S., may place on the Standard Diploma a seal to indicate the type of differentiation. Seals given in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement may also be placed on the face of the Standard Diploma. Seals described in this subsection may not be placed above the state designations as described in subsection (6) of this rule.

(8)(9) Each district school board shall produce or have produced the Diplomas and Certificates of Completion in the quantity and as needed to be awarded to the students in the public schools of that district. Any person producing copies shall, pursuant to Section 15.03(3), F.S., and Chapter 1C-5, F.A.C., secure approval from the Department of State to print the State Seal on such copies.

(9)(10) The Commissioner is authorized, upon written request from any district school board, to approve modification in the form or format of the diplomas or certificates prescribed herein; however, such modification shall not substantively alter the content or the wording of the diplomas or certificates.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.4282,1003.438 FS. Law Implemented 15.03(3), 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.4282, 1003.4285, 1003.438 FS. History–New 11-14-78, Amended 6-9-81, Formerly 6A-1.995, Amended 4-3-90, 1-5-09, 7-19-10,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mary Jane Tappen, Deputy Chancellor of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Services

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Pam Stewart, Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: January 13, 2014

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 16, 2013