This rule is amended to address the newly required designations for Major Areas of Interest, accelerated coursework, career education certification, and Ready to Work credential, on the standard high school diploma. The effect will be a rule ...

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
6A-1.0995: Form of High School Diplomas and Certificates of Completion
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This rule is amended to address the newly required designations for Major Areas of Interest, accelerated coursework, career education certification, and Ready to Work credential, on the standard high school diploma. The effect will be a rule consistent with governing statutes.
SUMMARY: Senate Bill 1908 requires four designations for diplomas: major area of interest, completion of four or more courses in AP, IB, AICE, or dual enrollment with successful passage of exam or coursework, career education certification, and ready to work credential. This rule is amended to incorporate these designations.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.429, 1003.438 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 15.03(3), 1001.02, 1003.428, 1003.4285, 1003.429, 1003.43, 1003.438 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: December 2, 2008, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Orlando Airport Hyatt, Orlando, Florida
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Holly Edenfield, Office of K-12 Public Schools, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400; [phone]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

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

Pursuant to Sections 1003.43 and 1003.438, Florida Statutes, the form of the Standard Diploma, the Special Diploma, the Certificate of Completion and the Special Certificate of Completion shall contain the wording and be in the form prescribed herein.

(1) through (4) No change.

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

(a) Completion of four creits in the same Major Area of Interest as provided in Section 1003.428, Florida Statutes.

(b) Completion of 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, Florida Statutes.  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) Career education certification in accordance with Section 1003.431, Florida Statutes, and

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

(6) 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.

(7)(5) School boards electing to award differentiated diplomas in lieu of the Standard Diploma as authorized in Section 1003.43, Florida Statutes, 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; but may not be placed above the state designations as described in subsection (6) of this rule.

(8)(6) 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), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 1C-5, F.A.C., secure approval from the Department of State to print the State Seal on such copies.

(9)(7) 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.

Specific Authority 1001.02, 1003.43, 1003.438 FS. Law Implemented 15.03(3), 1001.02, 1003.43.438 FS. History–New 11-14-78, Amended 6-9-81, Formerly 6A-1.995, Amended 4-3-90,________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Dr. Frances Haithcock, Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Dr. Eric J. Smith, Commissioner of Education
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 24, 2008
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: August 8, 2008