The rule facilitates the statewide articulation of industry certifications pursuant to sections 1007.23 and 1008.44, F.S., which require the Articulation Coordinating Committee to recommend articulation agreements to the ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-10.0401Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The rule facilitates the statewide articulation of industry certifications pursuant to sections 1007.23 and 1008.44, F.S., which require the Articulation Coordinating Committee to recommend articulation agreements to the State Board of Education that provide for the articulation of postsecondary credit toward related degrees for earned industry certifications. The rule also outlines policies related to the development and maintenance of articulation agreements. The agreements created within the rule provide opportunities for Florida’s secondary and postsecondary students to accelerate their degree completion and save money through earning postsecondary credit for attained industry certifications.

SUMMARY: The amendment will incorporate the Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements of Industry Certifications to Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degrees document for the 2024-25 school year. It will also clarify policies and procedures related to the development and maintenance of the articulation agreements.

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 proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory costs is anticipated as a result of this rule. This is based upon the nature of the proposed rule.

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, 1007.23, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1007.23, 1008.44, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: January 15, 2025, 9 a.m. CST

PLACE: Destin High School, 4325 Commons Dr. W., Destin, FL 32541.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Yolanda Singletary, Educational Policy Analyst, [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-10.0401 Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements. 

Statewide articulation agreements as required in Section 1007.23(1), F.S., to be adopted in rule are contained in the publication Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements of Industry Certification to AS and AAS Degree Programs 2023-2024 Academic Year (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-16572) (http://fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-technical-edu-agreements/industry-certification.stml) which is hereby incorporated by reference. Copies may be obtained from the Division of Florida Colleges, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 1244, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. 

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to facilitate the statewide articulation of industry certifications, establish the Gold Standard (“Gold Standard”) Career Pathways Articulation Agreements pursuant to Sections 1007.23(1) and 1008.44(4)(c), F.S., and guarantee the award of college credit toward applicable associate degrees for successful completion of industry certifications.

(2) Definitions.

(a) “CAPE Industry Certification Funding List” means the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List as described in Rule 6A-6.0576, F.A.C.

(b) “Gold Standard Articulation Agreements” means the list of industry certifications, corresponding associate degrees, and minimum number of credits to be awarded, and related requirements as set forth in this rule. The list is entitled the Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements of Industry Certification to AS and AAS Degree Programs 2024-25 Academic Year, and is incorporated by reference (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-). A copy of the list may be found at http://fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-technical-edu-agreements/industry-certification.stml/ or requested from the Office of K-20 Articulation, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1232, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(c) “Master Credentials List” means the Master Credentials List as described in Rule 6A-6.0576, F.A.C.

(3) Review and Approval.

(a) The Articulation Coordinating Committee will annually adopt and recommend to the State Board of Education a list of industry certifications, corresponding associate degrees, and minimum number of credits to be awarded for the earned industry certifications.

(b) Based on recommendations by the Articulation Coordination Committee, the State Board of Education will annually consider approval of the Gold Standard Articulation Agreements.

(4) Credit for Industry Certification.

(a) A Florida College System institution must award at a minimum the college credit specified in the Gold Standard Articulation Agreements if a student earns an industry certification during the agreement’s validity period, described in subsection (5), and enrolls in the eligible associate degree program within five years of earning the certification, regardless of whether the student’s certificate has expired.

(b) A Florida College System institution may, at its discretion, award credit upon expiration of the agreement’s validity period on a course-by-course basis.

(5) Validity Period.

(a) Gold Standard Articulation Agreements are valid for a period of five years and will expire at that time, unless otherwise recommended by the Articulation Coordinating Committee and approved by the State Board of Education.

(b) When an industry certification included in an agreement is removed from the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List or the Master Credentials List, and the certification is still achievable, the agreement will remain active through its validity period. When the agreement reaches the end of its validity period and the industry certification included within the agreement is still achievable, the agreement will be eligible for review and renewal, pursuant to subsection (3).

(c) When an industry certification included in an agreement is removed from the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List or the Master Credentials List, and the certification is no longer achievable, the agreement will be terminated the following academic year or upon expiration of the validity period. Students who earned the certification during its validity period and enroll in the eligible associate degree program within five years of earning the certification remain eligible to receive credit, pursuant to subsection (4).

(d) When an associate degree program included in an agreement is identified for deletion, the agreement will expire beginning with the academic year in which no new students are eligible to enroll.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1007.23(1) FS. Law Implemented 1007.23, 1008.44(4) FS. History–New 3-25-13, Amended 6-25-14, 5-19-15, 7-26-16, 4-25-17, 6-19-18, 6-25-19, 6-16-20, 7-14-21, 5-3-22, 5-23-23, 2-20-24, 4-30-24,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Yolanda Singletary, Educational Policy Analyst

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 10, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 6, 2024