The purpose of the rule amendment is to incorporate revisions related to the Performance-Based Exit Option Model and State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma. The changes under consideration include amending ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-6.0212Performance-Based Exit Option Model and State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule amendment is to incorporate revisions related to the Performance-Based Exit Option Model and State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma. The changes under consideration include amending and removing outdated language in both the rule and the form incorporated in the rule. Specifically, “Florida Standards Assessments” is replaced with “statewide, standardized assessments.” This rule was last amended in 2015.

SUMMARY: The revised rule amends and removes outdated language in both the rule and the form incorporated in the rule. It details administrative components, student eligibility, curriculum, instruction, and program completion requirements. The model mandates parental or guardian consent, adherence to policies and criteria for successful completion to award a Performance-Based Option Diploma.

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: Based upon the nature of the changes, 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 are anticipated as a result of this rule change.

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, 1003.435, 1003.53, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.435, 1003.53, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: March 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Winter Park High School, 2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL 32792.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Carla Greene, Bureau of School Improvement, Department of Education, [phone] or email [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-6.0212 Performance-Based Exit Option Model and State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma.

The Department of Education shall award a State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma pursuant to Section 1003.435, F.S., to a candidate who meets all of the requirements of the Performance-Based Exit Option Model, as prescribed herein.

(1) General and Administrative Components.

(a) No change.

(b) This program was formerly known as the “GED Exit Option.”

(b)(c) School districts must apply and be approved by the Department in order to implement the Performance-Based Exit Option Model at all school sites. Beginning with the 2010/2011 school year, and bi-annually thereafter, Eeach approved school district must submit a renewal application every two (2) years to continue to implement the Performance-Based Exit Option Model. School districts who are seeking initial approval to implement the Performance-Based Exit Option Model may apply during any given school year. The Performance-Based Exit Option Model Application, Form BFCO 001, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05816) effective September 2015, is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule.

(c)(d) School districts may amend approved applications anytime during the school year by completing and submitting an amendment to the Department.

(d)(e) The district shall identify a Performance-Based Exit Option Model administrator who will be responsible for verifying that candidates are authorized to test.

(2) Eligibility and Admission Components.

(a) The Performance-Based Exit Option Model is not to be a preferred or accelerated means of completing high school. Thus, this model is not a vehicle for the early exit of students and may only be exercised for students who are off track to graduate with their kindergarten cohort due to being over age overage for their grade, behind in credits or have having a low Grade Point Average (GPA) below 2.0 as required by Section 1003.4282, F.S., in order to earn a standard high school diploma. Students participating in the Performance-Based Exit Option Model may not graduate prior to their kindergarten cohort. Participation in this model is voluntary and requires parental notification and consent. Entry and exit policies must conform to state compulsory attendance requirements, as well as district daily attendance policies.

(b) Any eligible student currently enrolled in a PK-12 program, including special programs such as exceptional student education, dropout prevention, teenage parent, Department of Juvenile Justice, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) may participate in the Performance-Based Exit Option Model. To be eligible to participate in the Performance-Based Exit Option Model, a student must, at a minimum, be:

1. through 2. No change.

3. In jeopardy of not graduating with their kindergarten cohort because they are over age overage for their grade, behind in credits, or have a low GPA below 2.0;

4. Assessed at a seventh grade reading level or higher at the time of selection (ninth grade or higher at the time of testing for the State of Florida High School Diploma authorized under Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C.), as documented by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) reading component, Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS) reading component or other assessment to determine grade-level proficiency.

(c) through (d) No change.

(e) If the student is a minor, parents or guardian(s) must be informed and give written consent to a student’s participation in the Performance-Based Exit Option Model. The student’s record must include written notification of the student’s eligibility, parents’ or guardians’ right to an administrative review of the proposed placement, and parental or guardian consent, in writing, for student’s participation prior to utilizing this model. The student’s parent or guardian must be informed of the results of the record review and provided clarification that the student’s transcript will not indicate the award of a standard high school diploma an alternative graduation route.

(f) Academic cCounseling is required before program entry and during participation in the program. Counseling and advisement services must be provided to both students and parents or guardians regarding the Performance-Based Exit Option Model and other graduation options prior to participation so that they can make an informed decision regarding placement.

(3) Curriculum and Instruction.

(a) The curricula and instructional content for the Performance-Based Exit Option Model must be at the high school level and aligned must be rigorous and relevant to the student’s postsecondary goals. Each student must be enrolled in and attending K-12 high school courses that meet the high school graduation requirements specified in Section 1003.4282, F.S.

(b) The content of the Performance-Based Exit Option Model must be academic and may include career and technical education instruction or activities. The school district must prepare the student to successfully pass the statewide, standardized assessments and approved assessments for the State of Florida High School Diploma in Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C., by providing provide a full range of instruction that aligns with the State Academic Standards and the core content of the approved assessments covering English language arts in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. measured by the assessment approved for the State of Florida High School Diploma in Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C., as established in Tthe Adult General Education Standards and State of Florida High School Diploma Curriculum Frameworks incorporated in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C., which are incorporated herein by reference, guides the curriculum and instruction for the State of Florida High School Diploma. Career and Technical Education instruction and activities should be directed at the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for securing and maintaining employment.

(c) Instruction for the Performance-Based Exit Option Model must be of sufficient intensity and duration to ensure that participating students have a fair opportunity to raise their skills to the level necessary to earn a State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma in a reasonable period of time. Appropriate instructional curriculum materials must be provided in adequate quantities and must be available when students need them. Instructional strategies that focus on individual student progress are strongly encouraged.

(d) No change.

(e) Districts must administer the official practice tests for the High School Equivalent Assessment approved in Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C., GED Practice Tests administered under student testing conditions, prior to testing students for the operational test. Districts must provide academic interventions to students who do not earn acceptable scores on the official pPractice tTests.

(4) Program Completion Requirements.

(a) For students to successfully complete the Performance-Based Exit Option Model, the student must:

1. No change.

2. Pass the required sections of the statewide, standardized assessments required for a standard high school diploma, or receive a concordant or comparative score in accordance with Section 1008.22, F.S.;

3. through 4. No change.

(b) through (c) No change.

(d) Students who are participating in the Performance-Based Exit Option Model during their 13th year of school and their kindergarten cohort has already graduated are not required to continue classes until the end of the currently enrolled semester if they have:

1. Successfully passed the required sections of the statewide, standardized assessments required for a standard high school diploma as set forth in Section 1003.4282, F.S., or received concordant or comparative scores in accordance with Section 1008.22, F.S.;

2. through 3. No change.

(5) Official Recognition.

(a) Performance-Based Exit Option Model students must receive official recognition. Students enrolled in the Performance-Based Exit Option Model are eligible to participate in all standard high school activities, including extracurricular activities, as well as graduation and other recognition ceremonies.

(b) A student completing the Performance-Based Exit Option Model who passes all of the required tests for the State of Florida High School Diploma as specified in Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C., and the required statewide, standardized assessments sections of the Florida Standards Assessment, or receives a concordant or comparative score in accordance with Section 1008.22, F.S., must be awarded a State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma.

(c) No change.

(d) If a student passes all of the required tests for the State of Florida High School Diploma as specified in Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C., but does not pass the statewide, standardized assessments required for a standard high school diploma as set forth in Section 1003.4282, F.S., the student must only be awarded the State of Florida High School Diploma.

(e) No change.

(6) Form. The following form is hereby incorporated by reference: Performance-Based Exit Option Model Application (effective April 2024)(DOS link). The form All rules and forms incorporated herein may be obtained by contacting the Director of Dropout Prevention, Bureau of School Improvement Family and Community Outreach, Division of Public Schools, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400., or online at http://fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/dropout-prevention.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1003.435, 1003.53 FS. Law Implemented 1003.4282 1003.435, 1003.53, 1008.22 F.S. History–New 7-19-10, Amended 9-30-15,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Carla Greene, Bureau of School Improvement, Department of Education.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 20, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 18, 2024