To implement a reporting system for the notice provided to parents of the availability of a Hope Scholarship and to update the Hope notification form to clarify that eligibility for a scholarship can be based upon substantiated and unsubstantiated ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-6.0951The Hope Scholarship Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To implement a reporting system for the notice provided to parents of the availability of a Hope Scholarship and to update the Hope notification form to clarify that eligibility for a scholarship can be based upon substantiated and unsubstantiated incidents listed in section 1002.40(3), F.S.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule requires school districts to report the number of Hope Scholarship Notification Forms provided to parents for each substantiated and unsubstantiated incident reported. Additionally, the amendment also makes adjustments to the Hope Notification Form to align qualifying incidents with the recent revisions to SESIR reporting required by Rule 6A-1.0017, simplify the incident location, provide information about the availability of up to $750 in transportation funding when a student enrolls in a public school outside of the resident district and to provide notice of the reporting 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 amended rule and notification form largely outline existing requirements concerning eligibility and notification for the Hope Scholarship. The amended reporting requirements are 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 the rule changes.

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(2)(n), 1002.40(16), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.40, 1008.385, FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: July 15, 2020, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Strawberry Crest High School, 4691 Gallagher Rd. Dover, FL 33527.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Laura Mazyck, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, (P): [phone], 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1044, Tallahassee, FL 32399.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-6.0951 The Hope Scholarship Program.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) Parent notification requirements. Pursuant to the requirements of section 1002.40(6), F.S., a school district must timely notify a parent of the Hope Scholarship program and provide the parent a completed Hope Scholarship Notification Form (Form IEPC-HS1), available on the Department’s website, www.floridaschoolchoice.org. Form IEPC-HS1 (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09623) is hereby incorporated by reference, effective August 2020 2018.

(4) through (7) No change.

(8) School District Reporting Requirements. Each school district must report during the survey periods and using the elements set forth in Rule 6A-1.0014, Comprehensive Management Information System, the following information: For each substantiated and unsubstantiated incident listed in s. 1002.40(3), F.S., the number of Hope Scholarship Notification Forms provided to parents.

(9) Nothing in this rule shall limit the Department’s authority to request any other information related to the scholarship program.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.40(16) FS. Law Implemented 1002.40, 1008.385 F.S. History–New 8-21-18,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Dakeyan C. Graham, Executive Director, Office of Independent Education & Parental Choice

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 22, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 5, 2020