The rule amendment will add AMH X010 to meet the civic literacy competency course requirement. CLEP History of the United States I will also be added as an additional option for students to meet the civic literacy competency ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-10.02413Civic Literacy Competency

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The rule amendment will add AMH X010 to meet the civic literacy competency course requirement. CLEP History of the United States I will also be added as an additional option for students to meet the civic literacy competency assessment requirement. In addition, HB1285 (2024) created a new degree type (associate in arts specialized transfer degree) that must be added to this rule since civic literacy competency is a graduation requirement. Additionally, technical changes have been made for purposes of clarity and consistency. The effect of this amendment will require colleges to modify their policies, procedures, advising practices and catalogs regarding the additional new course option.

SUMMARY: An additional postsecondary course and assessment will meet the civic literacy course requirement.

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: The 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 and previous experience with these requirements.

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), (2)(n), 1007.25(5)(a)-(b), F.S

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1007.25, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: May 29, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 254 N.E. 4th St., Building 3, Chapman Conference Room 3210, Miami, FL 33132.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Mike Sfiropoulos, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, Division of Florida Colleges, [e-mail] or [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-10.02413 Civic Literacy Competency.

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to set forth requirements for demonstration of civic literacy competency in accordance with Section 1007.25(5), F.S.

(2) Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, first-time-in-college students entering a Florida College System institution in the Fall Term 2018 through the between the 2018-19 to 2020-21 school academic year must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by completing an approved course or assessment listed in either paragraph (5)(a) or (5)(b) through one of the following options prior to graduation.

(a) Successfully passing either POSX041 American Government or AMHX020 Introductory Survey Since 1877. Each of the courses must include the following competencies:

1. Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government;

2. An understanding of the United States Constitution and its application;

3. Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government; and

4. An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.

(b) Achieving the standard score on one of the following assessments:

Assessment	Standard Score
AP Government and Politics: United States	3
AP United States History	4
CLEP: American Government	50

(3)(2) Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the Fall Term 2021 2021-22 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by completing an approved course and assessment listed in paragraphs (5)(a) and (5)(b) (2)(a) and (2)(b) prior to graduation.

(4) Prior to the award of a specialized associate in arts transfer degree, an associate in science, or associate in applied science degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the Fall Term 2022 2022-23 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by completing an approved course and assessment listed in paragraphs (5)(a) and (5)(b) (2)(a) and (2)(b) prior to graduation.

(5) Approved civic literacy courses and assessments.

(a) Successful completion of Successfully passing either POSX041 American Government or AMHX020 Introductory Survey Since 1877 or beginning with the Fall Term 2024, and thereafter, successful completion of AMHX010 Introductory Survey to 1877. Each of the courses must include the following competencies:

1. through 4. No change.

(b) Achieving the standard score on one of the following assessments:

Assessment	Standard Score
AP Government and Politics: United States	3
AP United States History	4
CLEP: American Government	50
CLEP: History of the United States I	50
Florida Civic Literacy Examination	60%

(6)(3) Beginning with the Fall Term 2021, and thereafter, 2021-22 school year, Florida College System institutions must ensure they provide opportunities for students to engage synchronously in political discussions and civil debates with multiple points of view and to master the ability to synthesize information that informs civic decision making.

(7)(4) Beginning with the Fall Term 2021, and thereafter, 2021-22 school year, credit received by examination under subsection 6A-10.024(8), F.A.C., for courses listed in paragraph (5)(a)(2)(a) will count toward meeting the course requirement.

(8)(5) Beginning with the Fall Term 2021, and thereafter, 2021-22 school year, students who earned a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination while in high school are exempt from the postsecondary civic literacy assessment requirement.

(9) Any transfer student who enters a Florida College System institution and has not met the civic literacy competency requirement must meet the requirement based on the date the student initially transfers to the Florida College System institution. A student who previously completed the civic literacy competency requirement at a Florida College System institution or State University System institution is considered to have met the civic literacy competency requirement.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1007.25(5)(a)-(b) FS. Law Implemented 1007.25 FS. History–New 6-19-18, Amended 11-23-21, 5-3-22,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mike Sfiropoulos, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 01, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 19, 2024