To set forth the principal autonomy pilot program pursuant to section 1011.6202, Florida Statutes, by delineating the responsibilities of the school, school district, and Florida Department of Education (Department); establishing timelines and ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

6A-1.099814Principal Autonomy Pilot Program Initiative

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To set forth the principal autonomy pilot program pursuant to section 1011.6202, Florida Statutes, by delineating the responsibilities of the school, school district, and Florida Department of Education (Department); establishing timelines and expectations for the program; setting forth submission and approval criteria for district proposals; and prescribing reporting requirements to review and evaluate the progress of participating districts and schools.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule outlines the application process for eligible school districts, which provides for technical assistance from the Department during drafting and review; clarifies that schools currently implementing a State Board of Education-approved turnaround plan under Rule 6A-1.099811, F.A.C., are not eligible to participate; establishes requirements for the school district proposal, proposal approval criteria, and deadlines for deliverables that must be received to begin implementation in the following school year; and requires school districts to submit deliverables throughout implementation, including quarterly and annual district reports, to maintain eligibility.

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: After analysis of the proposed rule’s potential economic impact, it was determined that the adverse impact or regulatory cost, if any, does not exceed nor would it be expected to exceed the economic analysis criteria set forth in section 120.541(2)(a), Florida Statutes.

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: 1011.6202, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1011.6202, FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: January 18, 2017, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Martin County School Board Office, 500 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, FL 34994.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Shannon Houston, Senior Educational Programs Director, Bureau of School Improvement, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 314, Tallahassee, FL 32399, (850)6A-1.099814245-0007 or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-1.099814 Principal Autonomy Pilot Program Initiative.

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to set forth the requirements for the principal autonomy pilot program pursuant to section 1011.6202, F.S.

(2) Application Process. Each eligible school district pursuant to section 1011.6202(1), F.S., seeking to participate shall submit a proposal that meets the requirements of subsection (3) of this rule to the Florida Department of Education (Department) by the Department’s prescribed deadline.

(3) Proposal Requirements. The district proposal, at a minimum, shall:

(a) Identify three (3) schools that received at least two (2) school grades of “D” or “F” pursuant to section 1008.34, F.S., during the previous three (3) school years (i.e., 2015-16, 2014-15, and 2013-14) and are not implementing a State Board of Education-approved turnaround plan under Rule 6A-1.099811, F.A.C.;

(b) Provide assurance that a principal who has earned a highly effective rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation pursuant to section 1012.34, F.S., will be identified and assigned to each participating school;

(c) Provide assurance that the principal and a three-member leadership team from each participating school, and school district personnel working with each participating school will enroll in and complete a nationally recognized school turnaround program that:

1. Is evidence-based;

2. Has a demonstrated record of positive impact on student achievement and school management;

3. Has been in existence for at least five (5) calendar years; and

4. Focuses on improving leadership, instructional infrastructure, talent management, and differentiated support and accountability;

(d) Provide assurance that the additional appropriation provided for the principal of each participating school pursuant to section 1011.6202(7), F.S., will be used as an annual salary supplement, if eligible; a fund to be used at the principal’s discretion; or a combination thereof;

(e) Describe the current financial and administrative management of each participating school;

(f) Provide assurance that the areas in which each participating principal will have increased fiscal and administrative autonomy, including the authority and responsibilities provided in section 1012.28(8), F.S., will be identified;

(g) Provide assurance that a description of how the increased autonomy of principals will help participating schools improve student achievement and school management will be provided;

(h) Provide assurance that the areas in which each participating school will continue to follow district school board fiscal and administrative policies will be identified;

(i) Provide assurance that a district process for participating principals to request additional fiscal and administrative autonomy will be established;

(j) Provide assurance that each participating school will receive at least ninety (90) percent of the funds generated by the school based upon the Florida Education Finance Program and General Appropriations Act pursuant to section 1011.69(2), F.S.;

(k) Provide each participating school’s mission statement;

(l) Describe each participating school’s student population;

(m) Describe the methods used to identify the educational strengths and needs of the students at each participating school, and provide a summary of the needs assessment results;

(n) Identify how student achievement can be improved at each participating school; and

(o) Establish performance targets for student achievement, as defined in section 1008.34(1), F.S., that will result in a school grade of “C” or higher at each participating school by the end of the 2018-19 school year.

(4) Proposal Approval Criteria. The State Board shall approve a district proposal when the proposal:

(a) Is submitted by the Department’s prescribed deadline;

(b) Fulfills the requirements of subsection (3) of this rule;

(c) Demonstrates that the school district has not been declared to be in a state of financial emergency, as determined pursuant to section 218.503, F.S., during the previous three (3) fiscal years; and

(d) Is found by the Board to create the conditions necessary to meet the school district’s performance goals established pursuant to paragraph (3)(o) of this rule for each participating school.

(5) Term of Approval and Revocation.

(a) A successful district proposal shall receive approval for a period of three (3) years.

(b) If a school district fails to submit any of the deliverables required by subsection (6) of this rule, the State Board shall, after the second request following the deadline, revoke the school district’s authorization to participate in the pilot program.

(6) Documentation Requirements for Approved Applicants. Each participating school district shall submit the following deliverables to the Department:

(a) The name of the highly effective principal assigned to each participating school;

(b) A description of how the additional appropriation provided for the principal of each participating school pursuant to section 1011.6202(7), F.S., will be used;

(c) The name of the nationally recognized school turnaround program to which the school district will apply, and documentation that the program meets the requirements of subparagraphs (3)(c)1.-4. of this rule;

(d) The names and position titles of the school and district personnel who have enrolled in the selected school turnaround program;

(e) A description of the areas in which participating principals will have increased fiscal and administrative autonomy, including the authority and responsibilities provided in section 1012.28(8), F.S., that includes a rationale of how the increased autonomy will help the selected schools improve student achievement and school management;

(f) A description of the areas in which each participating school will continue to follow district school board fiscal and administrative policies;

(g) A description of the process established by the district for participating principals to request additional fiscal and administrative autonomy, and documentation that the process has been communicated to principals; and

(h) The annual school improvement plan for each participating school and documentation of stakeholder engagement in the process.

(7) Program Reporting and Evaluation. To aid the commissioner with an evaluation of the pilot program and a report to the Florida Legislature, the following reports shall be produced:

(a) The principal of each participating school shall provide the school district with an annual budget for the operation of the school that identifies how funds provided pursuant to section 1011.69(2), F.S., are allocated. The budget shall be included in the district report required by paragraph (7)(b) of this rule.

(b) The school district shall submit quarterly and annual reports to the Department on the implementation of the pilot program in all participating schools.

(8) Notice of Deadlines and Submission Requirements. The Department shall publish a schedule of deadlines for the application process set forth in subsection (2) of this rule, the documentation requirements set forth in subsection (6) of this rule, and the reporting requirements set forth in subsection (7) at https://www.fldoe.org. Except for the application process, the published deadlines shall allow a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days from the notice for submission.

Rulemaking Authority 1011.6202 FS. Law Implemented 1011.6202 FS. History–New_____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Hershel Lyons, Chancellor, K-12 Public Schools.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 19, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 18, 2016