Add clarifying language on student withdrawal and forgiveness information.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-14.0301Withdrawal and Forgiveness

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Add clarifying language on student withdrawal and forgiveness information.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule identifies the materials to include in the student handbook about withdrawals and forgiveness.

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: There is no associated cost or financial impact that will occur as a result of the changes made to this 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(1), (6), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.02, FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: May 20, 2016, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: DoubleTree by Hilton, 5780 Major Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32819

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dr. Karinda Barrett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs, [phone] [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-14.0301 Withdrawal and Forgiveness.

Florida College System institutions Community colleges shall adhere to the following procedures relating to student withdrawal from courses and to conditions under which forgiveness for grades earned will be granted to the student.

(1) Withdrawal.

(a) The student may withdraw without academic penalty from any course by the mid-point in the semester. Midpoint shall be defined as the point after which midterm assessments are completed, not to exceed 70% percent of the term. Withdrawals after that date would be granted only through established institutional procedures. Procedures shall be published in the catalog or student handbook.

(b) No change.

(2) Forgiveness. Each college shall publish, in the catalog or student handbook, a statement which:

(a) Limits forgiveness to courses where D and F grades were earned.

(b) Limits to two (2) the number of times a course grade may be forgiven.

(c) Advises students that upon the third attempt per course, the student will receive a grade for that course.

(d)(c) Advises students regarding the potential impact of forgiven courses in the computation of a student’s grade point average in transferring to other institutions, either public or private, and the need to consider the impact of retaking a course on their specific financial aid package.

(e)(d) Courses may be repeated if they are designated as repeatable, such as choir, music, or journalism or are individualized courses of study; or if they are required to be repeated by a regulatory agency; or are being repeated as part of a regulatory requirement for continuing education to stay current in a field, such as teacher certification.

(3) through (4) No change.

(5) Audit enrollments shall not count as attempts unless such enrollment is declared after the end of the drop/add period. Students required to enroll in developmental education College preparatory students, who are required to be certified as completing competency-based college preparatory instruction, shall not be enrolled as audits.

(6) Exceptions to the above provisions may be granted through an academic appeals process in accordance with the policies of the local board of trustees. The academic appeals process shall be published in the catalog or student handbook.

(7) Effective date. These procedures shall be implemented by the community college no later than the Fall 1997 academic term.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (6) (9) FS. Law Implemented 1001.02(9) FS. History–New 8-13-96, Amended 8-17-98, 1-23-00, 7-20-04,____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Madeline Pumariega, Chancellor, Florida College System

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: March 21, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 11, 2016