To remove “pilot” from the rule name and to update the eligibility criteria and the application and reporting requirements for the program. In effect, this proposal expands eligibility to participate; streamlines the submission, review, and approval ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-1.099814Principal Autonomy Pilot Program Initiative

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To remove “pilot” from the rule name and to update the eligibility criteria and the application and reporting requirements for the program. In effect, this proposal expands eligibility to participate; streamlines the submission, review, and approval processes; and focuses district reporting on lessons learned and performance goals established by the school district.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule sets forth the requirements for the Principal Autonomy Program Initiative pursuant to section 1011.6202, F.S., by removing “pilot” from the program name; expanding eligibility; setting forth submission, review, and approval criteria.

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 been prepared by the Agency.

The proposed rule requires the principal of each participating school and a designated leadership team selected by the principal of the participating school to complete a nationally recognized school turnaround program. Participating principals also receive $10,000 as an annual salary supplement for 3 years. $390,000 in nonrecurring funds is provided for the Principal Autonomy Program Initiative from Specific Appropriation 108, 2018 General Appropriations Act. It is not anticipated that the proposal will directly or indirectly have an adverse impact or increase regulatory costs. It is expected to decrease regulatory costs as the rule will result in exemptions from regulations. The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs.

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: July 18, 2018, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Congressional Room, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate, FL 33896.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Eileen McDaniel, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 124, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400; [phone]; 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) Definitions. For the purpose of this rule, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Leadership team” means a 4-6 member team comprised of the principal and other individuals selected by the principal, such as a district administrator, school administrator, instructional coach or teacher leader.

(b) “Nationally recognized school turnaround program” means a program that has at least five (5) years of evidence-based success in improving student achievement in low performing schools.

(3)(2) Application Process. District school boards Each eligible school district pursuant to Section 1011.6202(1), F.S., seeking to participate in the program shall submit an application a proposal that meets the requirements of subsection (5)(3) of this rule to the Florida Department of Education (Department) by December 1 the Department’s prescribed deadline.

(4) Eligibility Requirements.

(a)The district must maintain a general fund ending balance that is sufficient to address normal contingencies, in accordance with section 1011.051, F.S., and not have had its ending fund balance fall below two (2) percent during the previous three (3) fiscal years.

(b) Provide assurance that the assigned principal has earned the school principal certification, awarded pursuant to Rule 6A-4.0083, F.A.C and has earned a highly effective rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation pursuant to section 1012.34, F.S., at the current school site.

(5)(3) Application Proposal Requirements. The district application 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) For each school, include the following components:

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;

1. The school’s mission statement;

2. The participating school’s student population;

3. A rationale for including each school in the application;

4. Description of the educational strengths and needs for student achievement growth that impact the school grade, including any achievement gaps that may exist, and identify how student achievement can be improved in these areas;

5. The methods used to identify the educational strengths and needs of the students at each participating school, and a summary of the needs assessment results;

6. Performance targets for school grade components outlined in section 1008.34(3)(b), F.S., that will result in an improved grade of “C” or higher at each participating school by the end of the three (3) year term;

7. Identify the names, area(s) of strength, and area(s) for growth of the highly effective principal(s) assigned to each participating school;

8. Identify the names, position titles, and rationale for each member of the 4-6 person leadership team identified by each participating principal who will enroll in the school turnaround program;

9. Describe the current financial and administrative management of each participating school;

10. Describe 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., that includes a rationale of how the increased autonomy will help the selected schools improve student achievement and school management;

11. 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.;

12. A description of the areas in which each participating school will continue to follow district school board fiscal and administrative policies.

(c) Identify the nationally recognized school turnaround program which the school district will utilize and provide documentation that the program: 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;

1.2. Has at least five (5) years of demonstrated success increasing student achievement in low-performing schools; and, 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,

2.4. 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.

(6)(4) Application 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 (5) (3) of this rule; and,

(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,

(c)(d) Is found by the State Board of Education to create the conditions necessary to meet the school district’s performance goals established pursuant to subsection (5) (3)(o) of this rule, for each participating school.

(7)(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 requirements mandated deliverables required by subsection (8) (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.

(8)(7) Program Reporting and Evaluation. By September 15, the school district shall submit an annual report to the Department on the implementation of the program that includes, at minimum: 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) Progress made toward performance targets established in subparagraph (5)(b)6. of this rule;

(b) Documentation of professional development activities teachers participated in that are designed to assist the school in reaching the performance targets established in (5)(b)6. of this rule;

(c) A summary of key learnings from the nationally recognized school turnaround program and changes in teacher and leader practice or policies that resulted.

(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 2-20-17,_____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Hershel Lyons, Chancellor, Division of Public Schools.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 18, 2018

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 24, 2018.