The purpose of this amendment is to revise the rule to apply to all public school students and not just grades 9-12. The effect is a rule that is aligned with Florida Statutes.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
6A-1.09514: Excused Absences for Religious Instruction or Holiday
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this amendment is to revise the rule to apply to all public school students and not just grades 9-12. The effect is a rule that is aligned with Florida Statutes.
SUMMARY: The rule is amended to apply to all public school students and not just grades 9-12.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined the proposed rule will not have an impact on small business.
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(1), 1001.64, 1003.21(2)(b) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.21(2)(b) FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: January 19, 2010, 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: Tampa Airport Marriott, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Pinellas Meeting Room, Tampa, Florida 33607
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Todd Clark, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines St., Suite 434, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-1.09514 Excused Absences for Religious Instruction or Holiday.

(1) Release time during the school day to participate in religious instruction. Each school district which chooses to permit release time during the school day for students to participate in religious instruction shall adopt rules to implement Section 1003.21(2)(b), Florida Statutes, for students in grades 9 through 12. The school district’s rules shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) through (4) No change.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 1001.02(1), 1003.21(2)(b), 1001.64 FS. Law Implemented 1003.21, 1003.436, 1006.33 FS. History–New 10-17-89, Amended________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Dr. Frances Haithcock, Chancellor, Division of 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: December 8, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: December 18, 2009