The purpose of this amendment is to implement changes to the high school equivalency diploma program and adopt the recommended cut score of 145 by GED Testing Service®. The effect of this rule will be to update the standards for the issuance of the ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-6.0201State of Florida High School Diplomas, as of January 1, 2014

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this amendment is to implement changes to the high school equivalency diploma program and adopt the recommended cut score of 145 by GED Testing Service®. The effect of this rule will be to update the standards for the issuance of the State of Florida High School Diploma to individuals who successfully pass the examinations based upon recommended scores of the test provider.

SUMMARY: GED Testing Service® amended the recommended high school equivalency cut scores for the four test modules in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The recommended cut score of 145 on each test module is adopted for award of the State of Florida High School Diploma, which is Florida’s high school equivalency credential. Candidates who took the 2014 GED® Test prior to the adoption of this amendment and who achieved a score of 145 may be eligible for the award of the high school equivalency diploma. In addition, a technical amendment to the approval of eligible testing centers is included.

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: This amendment aligns the recommended cut scores for the high school equivalency diploma with the recommendation of the test provider. It is not expected to have any impact on the factors found in section 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

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(1), 1003.435(1) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.435 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: February 18, 2016, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Room LL03, The Capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Tara Goodman, Bureau Chief, Division of Career and Adult Education, 325 West Gaines Street, suite 744, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, phone: [phone], [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-6.0201 State of Florida High School Diplomas, as of January 1, 2014.

(1) through (a) No change.

(b) Attains a minimum score of one hundred and forty-five (145) fifty (150) on each of the four (4) sub-tests of the 2014 GED® Test: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies.

(2) The Commissioner of Education shall award a State of Florida High School Diploma to a candidate who achieved the criteria in subsection (1) from January 1, 2014, to the effective date of this rule.

(3)(2) The Department shall convert sub-test scores which meet the minimum requirement from test administrations at any approved GED® testing center in another state or jurisdiction for residents of the state of Florida. The Commissioner shall award a State of Florida High School Diploma to Florida residents who meet the passing standard as specified in paragraph (1)(b) of this rule or the Florida passing standard for any previous test series. Individuals must provide proof of residency for a test score from another state or jurisdiction to be converted.

(4)(3) The Department shall designate official testing centers in the state which are authorized to act as agents of the state in administering the 2014 GED® Test. The following entities are eligible to shall be authorized to offer the 2014 GED ® Test:

(a) through (e) No change.

(5)(4) Each official testing center shall establish a schedule for testing which adequately meets the needs of the candidates within its service area.

(6)(5) The Department shall maintain a perpetual record of individual test results and issue State of Florida High School Diplomas and official transcipts to successful candidates.

(7)(6) The statewide testing fee for the 2014 GED® Test shall be thirty-two (32) dollars for each of the following sub-tests: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies and Science. This fee shall be paid by the candidate at the time of the registration and scheduling of the test.

(8)(7) A fee of fifteen (15) dollars shall be assessed for the following services and document production to test takers or other entities seeking official documents with the signed authority of the test candidate or recipient of the diploma for all documents and services provided on or after January 1, 2014:

(a) through (b) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1003.435(1) FS. Law Implemented 1003.435 FS. History‒New 11-19-13, Amended______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Rod Duckworth, Chancellor, Career and Adult Education

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: January 20, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 12, 2016