The purpose of this new rule is to ensure that students who are or were eligible members of the United States Armed Forces earn appropriate credit for military training, experience, and coursework at Florida College System institutions and are ...

Notice of Proposed Rule

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
6A-14.0302: Military Service
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this new rule is to ensure that students who are or were eligible members of the United States Armed Forces earn appropriate credit for military training, experience, and coursework at Florida College System institutions and are provided priority course registration when offered by the institution to another segment of the student population.
SUMMARY: Each Florida College System institution board of trustees shall adopt a policy that: 1) specifies the granting of credit for military training, 2) utilizes the American Council on Education Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, 3) specifies the use of military credit toward degree program requirements, and 4) allows for transfer, when applicable. Additionally, the credit shall be noted on the student’s transcript and the policy shall be published in the college’s catalog. Florida College System institutions that offer priority course registration for a segment of the student population shall provide priority course registration for each veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
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 rule is likely to have a positive impact on economic growth, private-sector job creation or employment as members of the United States Armed Forces complete their educational requirements and enter the job market with additional qualifications. No adverse impact on business competitiveness, either in the domestic market or with other states is projected as a result of this rule. The credit for military service will not increase regulatory or transactional costs as identified in Section 120.541(2)(a), Florida Statutes. The Department and Florida College System institutions will implement the proposed rule with existing staff and resources.
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: 1004.075, 1004.096 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1004.096 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: December 12, 2012, 8:00 a.m.
PLACE: Tampa Airport Marriott, Tampa International Airport, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Duval Room, Tampa, FL 33607.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Carrie Henderson, Division of Florida Colleges, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 1532, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400; 850 245-9464.

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-14.0302 Credit for Military Service.

(1) College Credit for Military Training and Education Courses. Each Florida College System institution board of trustees shall adopt a policy that enables students who are or were eligible members of the United States Armed Forces to earn appropriate credit for prior learning through military training, experience, and coursework.

(a) The policy shall include:

1. Specification that credit will be granted to students with military training, experience, or coursework that is recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE).

2. Utilization of the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services in order to determine equivalency and alignment of military coursework with appropriate Florida College System institution programs and/or courses.

3. Specification that if the course to which the military training or coursework is determined equivalent fulfills a general education or major course or degree program requirement, the credit will apply toward the award as such. Otherwise, credit will be granted to the extent elective credits are needed to fulfill program requirements.

4. A receiving Florida public postsecondary institution may accept in transfer any military credit that was previously evaluated and awarded by a Florida public postsecondary institution, and that is appropriate to the student’s program of study.

(b) Credit awarded for military training and coursework shall be noted on the student’s transcript.

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

(2) Priority Course Registration for Veterans. Florida College System institutions that offer priority course registration for a segment of the student population shall provide priority course registration for each veteran of the United States Armed Forces who is receiving GI Bill educational benefits and for the spouse or dependent children of a veteran to whom the GI Bill education benefits have been transferred. In order to receive priority course registration privileges, the eligible veteran or spouse or dependent children must provide the Florida College System institution with a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility or other military documentation verifying eligibility for GI Bill education benefits.

Rulemaking Authority 1004.075, 1004.096 FS. Law Implemented 1004.096 FS. History-New________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Randy Hanna, Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges.
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Pam Stewart, Commissioner, Department of Education.
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 13, 2012
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 19, 2012