The purpose of this rule is to enable students to earn academic credit for online courses, including massive open online courses, prior to initial enrollment at a postsecondary institution.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-14.0304Online Courses

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule is to enable students to earn academic credit for online courses, including massive open online courses, prior to initial enrollment at a postsecondary institution.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule establishes the components that must be included in Florida College System institutional policies that enable students to earn appropriate credit for online coursework prior to initial enrollment.

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: Enabling students to earn credit for online coursework will allow students to receive credit for prior learning, thereby reducing duplicative courses and time to degree/credential. This will also result in cost savings.

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: 1004.0961 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1004.0961 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: November 18, 2014, 8:30 a.m.

PLACE: Seminole State College, Heathrow Campus, 1055 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Julie Alexander, Division of Florida Colleges, at [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-14.0304 Online Courses.

College Credit for Online Courses. Florida College System institutions shall evaluate online coursework, if requested by a student prior to the initial term of enrollment, and award college credit when the following conditions are met: faculty have determined the online course content and learning outcomes to be comparable to a course offered at the institution; online courses meet the quality and accreditation standards intended for a transfer course; and the student’s intended program of study is relevant to the online course as determined by subject area faculty.  Nothing in this rule should prohibit a Florida College System institution from establishing additional mechanisms for the award of college credit for online courses.

(1) By fall 2015, each Florida College System institution board of trustees shall adopt a policy that enables students to earn appropriate credit for online coursework prior to initial enrollment. The policy shall include:

(a) A description of student responsibilities for initiating a review of prior learning through online courses and documentation requirements for the purposes of determining equivalency of required outcomes within the student’s intended program of study.

(b) A description of the review procedures of prior learning through online coursework that is within the same parameters and quality assurance protocols, including faculty credential evaluation, outcome equivalency and student demonstrated mastery of competency, as any other award of credit for prior learning that is not guaranteed to transfer pursuant to Section 1007.24(7), F.S.

(c) A description of credit that may be granted to students for coursework that is recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE).

(d) A description of the student appeals process.

(2) The procedure for the alignment of coursework is to determine whether the online course fulfills a general education or major course or degree program requirement and, if deemed equivalent, apply the credit as such. Otherwise, credit will be granted to the extent elective credits are needed to fulfill program requirements.

(3) Credit awarded for online coursework shall be noted on the student’s transcript. A receiving Florida public postsecondary institution may accept in transfer any college credit that was previously evaluated and awarded by a Florida public postsecondary institution, and that is appropriate to the student’s program of study.

(4) Each Florida College System institution shall display the policy on its website and within its catalog.

Rulemaking Authority 1004.0961 FS. Law Implemented 1004.0961 FS. History–New__________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Randy Hanna, Chancellor, Florida College System

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

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

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 11, 2014