The purpose of this rule amendment is to align the rule with current language and procedures for the Performance-Based Exit Option Model. The effect of the rule is that districts shall identify a Performance-Based Exit Option Model administrator who ...

 

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 this rule amendment is to align the rule with current language and procedures for the Performance-Based Exit Option Model. The effect of the rule is that districts shall identify a Performance-Based Exit Option Model administrator who will be responsible for verifying that candidates are authorized to test.

SUMMARY: The rule amendment removes terminology that is no longer utilized to align with Florida Statutes and a procedural change regarding testing for students participating in the model.

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: Revisions to eliminate the terms “GED,” “GED testing,” and “FCAT” will have no economic impact. Requiring a designated Performance-Based Exit Option administrator will not result in additional regulatory costs, as no additional labor would be required and it would be anticipated the role would be filled within existing resources.

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 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1003.435, 1003.53 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: July 23, 2015, 8:30 a.m.

PLACE: Tampa Airport Marriott, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Duval Conference Room, Tampa, Florida 33607

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Tameka Thomas, Bureau of Family & Community Outreach, 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1444, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone], or [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) The Department shall designate the authority of awarding the State of Florida High School Performance-Based Diploma to each approved school district participating in the Performance-Based Exit Option Model.

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

(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, each approved school district must submit a renewal application 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, (insert DOS link) effective August 2015 July 2010, is incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule and may be obtained by contacting the Director of Dropout Prevention, Bureau of Family and Community Outreach, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, or online at http://www.fldoe.org/family/dropoutp/default.asp.

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

(e) The district shall identify a Performance-Based Exit Option Model administrator who will be is responsible for verifying ensuring that candidates are authorized to test each approved school site is provided with the appropriate number of GED Testing Authorization Forms. The district Performance-Based Exit Option Model administrator must contact the Department of Education for additional Testing Authorization forms throughout the school year.

(2) through 1. No change.

2. Enrolled in and attending high school courses that meet high school graduation requirements as specified in Section 1003.4282 1003.428 or 1003.43, F.S., whichever is applicable;

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

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., GED testing), as documented by the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) reading component or other assessment to determine grade level proficiency.

(c) through (f) No change.

(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 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 1003.428 or 1003.43, F.S., whichever is applicable.

(b) The content of the Performance-Based Exit Option Model must be academic and may include career education instruction or activities. The school district must provide a full range of instruction that aligns with the State Standards and the core content 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 the State of Florida High School Diploma Curriculum Frameworks incorporated in Rule 6A-6.0571, F.A.C., which are incorporated herein by reference GED Tests (high school mathematics, writing, social studies, reading, and science). Career Education instruction and activities should be directed at the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for securing and maintaining employment.

(c) through (d) No change.

(e) Districts must administer the official practice test 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 GED. Districts must provide academic interventions to students who do not earn acceptable scores on the official GED Practice Tests.

(4) Program Completion Requirements.

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

1. Continue enrollment and attendance in high school courses that meet high school graduation requirements as specified in Section 1003.4282 1003.428 or 1003.43, F.S., whichever is applicable.

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

3. Pass all of the required subtests for the State of Florida High School Diploma as specified in Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C. GED Tests; and

4. 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 assessments required for a standard high school diploma FCAT or received a concordant or comparative scores in accordance with Section 1008.22, F.S.;

2. Passed the required tests for the State of Florida High School Diploma as specified in Rule 6A-6.0201, F.A.C. GED Tests; and

3. through (5)(a) No change.

(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., GED Tests and the required sections of the Florida Standards Assessment FCAT, or receives a concordant 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., GED Tests but does not pass the statewide assessments required for a standard high school diploma FCAT, the student must only be awarded the State of Florida High School Diploma (GED).

(e) No change.

(6) All rules and forms incorporated herein may be obtained by contacting the Director of Dropout Prevention, Bureau of Family and Community Outreach, 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 1003.435, 1003.53 FS. History–New 7-19-10,_____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mary Jane Tappen, Executive Vice Chancellor, K-12 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 12, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 26, 2015